Xtra Time Web Desk: The selectors are likely to name Shahbaz Ahmed and Shreyas Iyer as replacements for Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda for the upcoming three match T20I series against South Africa. Deepak Hooda was not available for selection for the third and final game against Australia on Minday owing to a back injury. Hardik Pandya will be travelling to National Cricket Academy on Monday where he will start training ahead of travelling to Australia for the T20 World Cup 2022.
Meanwhile, it is not clear whether Mohammed Shami has recovered from Covid-19 positive or not. It has been seven days since Shami tested positive for Covid-19 due to which he was ruled out of the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. Even the BCCI officials are in dark whether Shami will be available for the series against Proteas or not. As of now Umesh Yadav remains as Shami’s replacement.
The most concerning fact is Shami is also in the stand-by for upcoming T20 World Cup and was expected to fly to Australia with the squad. The selectors kept Shami in the Indian squad for the six T20Is against Australia and South Africa, to see whether he is in the rhythm. He has already missed the Australia series due to Covid-19 positive. If he misses the South Africa series as well, it will definitely raise concerns with the selectors and team management.
The three-match T20I series against Proteas will start on September 28 in Trivandrum and will conclude on October 4 in Indore.