BCCI takes measured approach in flying Mohammed Shami to Australia following Perth Test victory; Ajit Agarkar undecided: Report

After suffering an ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup final last year, Shami was forced to sit on the sidelines for a lengthy period of one year. However, in a positive turn of events, he underwent surgery in February of this year and recently made his comeback in the world of competitive cricket. Representing Bengal in a Ranji Trophy game earlier this month, Shami exhibited remarkable performance by taking five wickets against Madhya Pradesh in Indore.

Experts urged BCCI to fly Shami to Australia immediately, but the board decided to not to be in a hurry over getting the senior fast bowler back to international fold. Shami was hence picked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he picked up a three-wicket haul, further strengthening his case for a comeback in the Australia Test series.

However, according to a latest report in the Times of India, BCCI is not planning to send Shami to Australia anytime soon.

"There has been no conversation around trying to send Shami to Australia, atleast for now. At the moment, the fast bowlers chosen for the tour and the first XI in the opening Test at Perth are doing their job very well," a source in the Board said.

India scripted a massive 295-run win against the Aussies in the series opener in Perth on Monday. It was their second-biggest win in Australia and second in Perth, although the previous win, in 2008, came at the WACA, the old Test venue.

India did show similar concerns after being bowled out for just 150 on the opening day, but the bowlers brought the team back with stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah picking up a five-wicket haul. India secured a slender 46-run lead, following which KL Rahul and centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched a record 201-run stand. Later Virat Kohli scored a century as well, his first in 16 months, as India handed a humongous target. Once again it was the bowlers who rose to the occasion to fold Australia for just 238 as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.