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Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India Captain Rohit Sharma had stated that it would be challenging for Mohammed Shami to return to the squad for the Australia tour. Before the second Test against New Zealand, Rohit mentioned that Shami still hadn’t fully recovered and was dealing with a knee injury. And that’s exactly what happened. Although Shami recently claimed to be 100% fit, he didn’t make the squad for the five-Test series in Down Under.

 With Mohammed Shami not there, India's top three fast bowlers for this series are Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. Bumrah will undoubtedly lead the bowling attack and will be crucial to India's chances.

Read More: IND vs SA: Emerging talents shine as BCCI names squad for T20I series against South Africa

 But why didn't Shami secure a spot in the squad? Find out the real reason.

Mohammed Shami had a right Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year. Due to the surgery, he was unable to feature in IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024 as well.

He was earlier expected to make an international comeback in the Tests against Bangladesh after his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.  However, Shami wasn't fit to play the Bangladesh Tests.

pic.twitter.com/nNHEPjlcF1

— ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@MdShami11) October 25, 2024

The senior fast bowler was then expected to make his appearance in New Zealand after playing a match in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal but a swelling on his knee blew away the plans for his comeback.

Doubts had already started appearing on his availability for the five Tests in Australia and it has now been confirmed that Shami won't be a part of India's squad.

Read More: BGT 2025: Shami's omission shocks as India announces Test squad for Australia tour

 Shami earlier responded to rumours about his absence in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The pacer expressed frustration over false reports about his injury status. He clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that he was working hard to recover and had not been ruled out of the series.

Shami asked people to ignore unverified news, emphasising that neither he nor the BCCI had confirmed his exclusion, calling the rumours "fake, fake, fake, & fake".

Why these type of baseless rumors? I'm working hard and trying my level best to recover. Neither the BCCI nor me have mentioned that I am out of the Border Gavaskar series. I request the public to stop paying attention to such news from unofficial sources. Please stop and don’t… pic.twitter.com/0OgL1K2iKS

— ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@MdShami11) October 2, 2024

But During the rehabilitation, the swelling on his knee has kept him out of the whole series. It is unfortunate for him as he was expected to play the highly anticipated series and was looking forward to it.

However, Mohammed Shami has already started bowling in the nets. His videos of bowling in the nets have gone viral on social media but the selectors believe that he still needs time to be fit for the grind of Test cricket.