Yet to recover from COVID-19, Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of India’s three-match T20I series against South Africa, while Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed came in place of a rested Hardik Pandya.
The series is starting September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram.
With all-rounder Deepak Hooda also out of the series due to back spasms, the national selection committee is set to recall middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer for the South Africa series.
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“Shami hasn’t recovered from his bout of COVID-19. He needs more time, and hence, will be out of the South Africa series. Umesh Yadav will continue as Shami’s replacement for the South Africa series,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
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However, when asked why Shahbaz has been picked in place of Pandya, the source said, “Is there any seam bowling all-rounder, who can replace Hardik. Raj Bawa is too raw and that’s why we kept him in India A for exposure. He will need time to blossom. Tell me another name?” Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari will lead Rest of India team in the Irani Cup against Saurashtra.