Shami Ruled Out Of Asia Cup, Doubtful For WorldT20?

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Shami ruled out of Asia Cup T20. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: It’s quite unfortunate for any cricketer’s life. Both the times he has been selected but ruled out after selection. This incident happened with none other than Mohammed Shami, Indian star pacer has been ruled out of Asia Cup today and it seems that he is doubtful for the WorldT20. A press release from the BCCI confirmed the decision. Now, the question arises, why was he included by the selectors before? Didn’t the selectors select him by viewing his fitness test or somehow they took him? This is an example of unprofessionalism from BCCI, one of the richest cricket control board. When the media asked Sandip Patil, Chairman of National Selection Committee about his inclusion in the both the squads during the selection of the squads few weeks back he replied, “ Yes, we are confident about Shami getting fit before “WorldT20’. Dhoni has got full confidence on him. Shami is an important member in our squad. He is the spearhead of our bowling attack.”

Meanwhile Shami had been training with Andrew Leipus, NCA physio for the last 3 days in Kolkata. Before training he was in rehab at the NCA. After returning from rehab, Shami played a local club match for Mohun Bagan. He bowled a 3 over spell with various run-ups but never looked comfortable. With the bat he scored a quick fire 45 runs with 6 sixes but looked uncomfortable in running between the wickets.

Is this the reason BCCI had send Andrew Leipus to Kolkata to make him fit? Shami had a training session with Andrew at Mohun Bagan Club ground for 2 hours today. He stretched and bowled with different run ups. Leipus took a video recording of the whole training session and send it to the medical unit of the board in the evening. After a while BCCI sent a press release that he has been ruled out of Asia cup. It’s quite confirmed now that Andrew Leipus was not at all happy with his fitness and likewise send the report to the BCCI.

We caught with Shami over phone and he replied, “BCCI informed me in the evening that I am out of Asia Cup. I never thought of this  in my dreams. After World cup it has been a nightmare for me.Till now I am not being able to find out how I got injured in Australia. I will speak to the BCCI’s medical unit. If needed I will go abroad for treatment. I am not in a hurry for World T20. First of all I want to make myself totally fit.

Coincidentally, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been called in as replacement for Shami in the Asia Cup likewise in Australia few months back.