Mohammed Shami to join teammate Rohit Sharma in Australia ahead of 1st Test against Australia

New Delhi: India is gearing up to take on Australia in a highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting with the first Test at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 22. Initially, there were worries about Rohit Sharma's availability for the match due to personal reasons. However, with the joyful news of the arrival of his baby boy, it is expected that the Indian captain will join the team before the Test. Adding to the excitement, Mohammed Shami will also be accompanying Rohit on the trip, providing a further boost to the Indian team.

According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, Mohammed Shami might accompany Rohit Sharma to Australia before the first Test in Perth. However, it remains uncertain whether both will be included in the playing XI for the opening match. Shami, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to injury, was not included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after failing to recover in time.

In a conversation with *Indian Express*, Mohammed Shami’s childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, revealed that the star fast bowler is expected to travel to Australia to join Team India after the second Test match in Adelaide.

“He will be joining the Indian team after the Adelaide (second) Test. Now that he is back, proved his fitness, picked up wickets, he will be crucial for the team in the second half of the tour,” Badruddin said.

After a 360-day absence from competitive cricket, Mohammed Shami made a strong comeback in the 2024 Ranji Trophy, playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh. The star fast bowler marked his return in style, taking four key wickets and dismantling the Madhya Pradesh batting order. Shami claimed the vital scalps of Shubham Sharma, Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya, and Kulwant Kejroliya, finishing with impressive figures of 4/54 from 19 overs.

In the second innings, Mohammed Shami continued his strong performance, claiming three more wickets. Additionally, he made a crucial contribution with the bat, scoring 37 runs from 36 balls, which included 2 fours and 2 sixes, helping to further solidify his comeback in the match.