"I’ll send him to Australia, even if he misses the Perth Test" - Sourav Ganguly on Mohammed Shami's importance for 2024-25 BGT
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Mohammed Shami should be on the next flight to Australia even if he misses the first of the five-Test series Down Under. Ganguly reckons that Shami doesn't need to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament before his national comeback.
The reaction comes after Shami picked up seven wickets while representing Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He was equally handy with the bat, scoring 37 runs in the second innings.
This was Shami's first competitive game after a 360-day gap following the 2023 ODI World Cup. The speedster returned to action following his ankle surgery after almost one-year-long hiatus.
Ganguly told RevSportz (via India Today):
"Yeah, I will send him to Australia. He doesn’t need to play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I’ll send him to Australia, even if he misses the Perth TestI’ll send him to Australia, even if he misses the Perth Test."
"He keeps bowling, he should be on the flight, he has bowled today as well. He should be on the next flight to Australia," he added.
Notably, Shami has picked up 31 wickets in seven Tests, including two five-wicket hauls, in Australia. Overall, the 34-year-old has 229 wickets in 64 Tests. He was included in India squad for the five-match series but favorites to be added to the side.
"Because of the height and conditions" - Sourav Ganguly picks between Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep for Perth Test
Sourav Ganguly further picked Prasidh Krishna over Akash Deep in his playing XI for the Perth Test due to the height factor. He said during the same interaction:
"He (Shami) may miss the Perth Test, but that will be bowling friendly conditions. I think Prasidh will play ahead of Akash Deep, because of the height and conditions. So, Shami should be on the flight and should be ready to play the Adelaide Test."
Lanky pacer Prasidh Krishna picked up 10 wickets for India A in the two unofficial Tests against Australia A. He has picked up just two wickets in as many senior Tests. Meanwhile, Akash Deep will play his first Test series Down Under. The 27-year-old has 10 wickets in five Tests.