IND vs ENG: In a big blow to the Indian team ahead of their five-match test series against England, senior pacer Mohammad Shami is likely to miss the first two test matches between India and England. The pacer has suffered an ankle injury and is yet to recover.
India vs England five-match test series is scheduled to begin on January 25 in Hyderabad. Besides Hyderabad, the fixtures will be held in Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharmshala respectively.
Post India’s World Cup 2023 defeat, it was revealed that Mohammad Shami played with an ankle injury during the event. He was subsequently pulled back from further bilateral fixtures and his treatment began at the NCA.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though, named him in India’s test squad for the South Africa tour, but his availability was subject to his fitness. Eventually, the senior pacer was deemed unfit as he had not cleared the fitness test at the NCA and didn’t feature in the India vs South Africa test series which ended in a 1-1 draw.
As of now, Mohammad Shami hasn’t resumed bowling and will take some time to recover from his injury. As reported by The Indian Express, the pacer will move to NCA and prove his fitness before he features in the test squad.
Notably, the BCCI won’t rush him under any circumstances and the fast bowler will be given every opportunity to regain his prime fitness. With the India vs England test being played in home conditions, the Indian side won’t go with a full-pace lineup.
“Shami hasn’t even started to bowl, he will have to go to NCA and prove his fitness. He looks doubtful for the first two Tests against England,” a source in the Indian board informed.
The preparations for the India vs England test will begin soon. The five-match test series will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. The last time England toured India for a test series they faced a 3-1 defeat.
Below is the complete schedule for the India vs England 5-match test series:
- India vs England 1st test – January 25-29 – Hyderabad (9:30 AM IST)
- India vs England 2nd Test – February 02-06 – Vishakhapatnam (9:30 AM IST)
- India vs England 3rd Test – February 15-19 – Rajkot (9:30 AM IST)
- India vs England 4th Test – February 23-27 – Ranchi (9:30 AM IST)
- India vs England 5th Test – March 07-11 – Dharmshala (9:30 AM IST)
For more details head to ICC’s official website.
