'Decision will be taken after...,' BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Mohammed Shami playing Australia Tests

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has said that the decision on pacer Mohammed Shami playing in the Border-Gavaskar series will be taken based on his fitness. Shami is recovering from an ankle injury since 2023 ODI World Cup at home where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker.

"Shami playing the Australia series or not is a matter of his fitness, and a decision will be taken after the NCA report," said Shah while speaking to news agency ANI.

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Shami is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bengaluru, undergoing rehabilitation.

India are due to play five Tests in Australia from November later this year and would be looking for a third series win on the trot.

Talking about his performance, Shami has taken 31 wickets in eight Tests in Australia with two five-wicket hauls.

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar seemed confident of Shami's recovery ahead of Australia series and said to cricket news outlet ESPNCricinfo: "Shami has started to bowl which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal. I do not know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that."

Prior to that, India will also play home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand as well. The two-Test series against Bangladesh starts September 19 while the Kiwis will tour after that. India then flies Down Under.

Hazelwood desperate to beat India

Josh Hazlewood, who debuted during Australia's victorious 2014-15 home series win against India, recently claimed that Pat Cummins & Co. are desperate to settle scores versus the Asian giants.

In the 2014/15 series, Australia beat India 2-0. Since then, they have lost all the four series (two in India, two at home).