Former India captain Sourav Ganguly wants pacer Mohammed Shami to be on the next flight to Australia after the speedster has made a promising comeback to the competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy.
Shami was not at his best with the ball in the second-innings but the India pacer still powered Bengal to a thrilling 11-run win over Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday. Besides his bowling exploits of 7/156 in the match, Shami also registered his highest First-Class score for Bengal, knocking a quickfire 36-ball 37 in the second innings.
“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 Test,” Ganguly told RevSportz.
“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.
Although Shami was not named in India’s 18-member Border Gavaskar Trophy squad, but his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin is hopeful that his ward will travel to Australia at some point in the series.
“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,” he told the Indian Express.
Ganguly has also backed Prasidh Krishna ahead of the Akash Deep to feature in the Perth Test, starting from November 22.
“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,” said Ganguly.
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