India suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat to Australia in the second Test at Adelaide, with the hosts dominating both with the bat and ball. The Indian team struggled throughout the match, with their batting lineup crumbling and bowlers failing to create enough pressure on the Australian batters. Despite taking early wickets, India could not contain the rampant batting of Travis Head, who scored a scintillating 140, while Mitchell Starc‘s 6-wicket haul decimated India’s batting order. The defeat has left India reeling as they face an uphill task to level the series.
Will Mohammed Shami Return? Rohit Sharma gives update
After India’s heavy defeat, captain Rohit Sharma gave an update on the fitness of pacer Mohammed Shami, who has not featured in international cricket since the ODI World Cup Final in November 2023. Notably, Shami had undergone ankle surgery and was undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. However, his comeback has been delayed due to knee issues, which flared up during his domestic outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rohit confirmed that Shami’s return is still on the cards, but the team is carefully monitoring his fitness to ensure he is fully recovered before being considered for the final two Tests of the series.
“Definitely that door is very much open but we’re just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he again got some swelling in his knee, which obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful, we don’t want to bring him here in a situation and play him and then he pulls up or something happens. We want to be more than a hundred per cent sure with him, you know, because it’s been such a long time that he’s not played. And to be fair to him, you know, we don’t want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team,” said Rohit in the presser.
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Shami’s inclusion will strengthen Team India’s bowling attack
Rohit emphasized that Shami’s presence in the squad would significantly strengthen India’s bowling attack, particularly in the tough conditions in Australia. The pacer’s experience and ability to generate pace and bounce could provide a much-needed boost to the Indian attack, which struggled to make breakthroughs in Adelaide. Rohit stated that Shami’s return is contingent on his full recovery, as the team does not want to risk reintroducing him before he is completely fit. With India in need of a strong performance in the remaining Tests, Shami’s inclusion could be pivotal in their bid to bounce back in the series.
“So there are some professionals who are monitoring, they are there with him and we will take the call based on you know what they say. They’re the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game after bowling for four and standing for 20 overs. So we just have to be very, very careful, but, like I said, that door is very much open for him to come and play,” added Rohit.