A big setback for India as Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the upcoming India-South Africa Test series. He has been suffering from an ankle injury and his fitness was an issue regarding his availability in the series. He failed to clear the BCCI medical test and has been ruled out of the series. Mohammed Shami was the highest wicket-taker in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and has an excellent record in red-ball cricket for India.
Apart from Mohammed Shami, there is also a change in India’s ODI team, where Deepak Chahar has withdrawn his name from the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Deepak Chahar announced to the board that he will not be able to participate in the ODI series due to a family emergency. The BCCI has announced Akash Deep as his replacement in the ODI series.
Akash Deep represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has played seven matches for the franchise. He has taken six wickets in seven games in the IPL and has a good domestic record. Deepak Chahar played his last ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022 and had the opportunity to mark his return to the ODI team, but had to withdraw due to a family emergency.
Shreyas Iyer to join Test side after first ODI
Shreyas Iyer has been included in India’s ODI squad for the series against South Africa. However, Iyer will only be available for the first ODI and will join the Test squad for the warm-up games, BCCI reported. Team India head coach (senior men) Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T. Dilip will join the Test team and oversee their preparations for the games of preparation.
Meanwhile, the KL Rahul-led ODI team will be assisted by the India A coaching staff comprising batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Rajib Datta and fielding coach Ajay Ratra. KL Rahul will join the Test team after the ODI series is over. Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Mukesh Kumar are three players who are part of India’s ODI team as well as the Test team. Rahul and Mukesh will join the Test team once the ODI series concludes.