New Delhi: Mohammed Shami’s T20I comeback will be delayed as the pace bowler has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out of the Australia series starting in Mohali from September 20.
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami tests positive for COVID-19. He will not be able to take part in the upcoming three-day T20I series against Australia after testing positive for COVID-19, news agency ANI reported.
“Yes, Shami has tested COVID-19 positive. But there is nothing to worry as the symptoms are mild. But he will have to remain in isolation and will be able to rejoin the squad once he tests negative. It is unfortunate but that is how life is,” a senior BCCI source told news agency PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Asked about Shami’s recovery from the infection, PTI reported that the source seemed hopeful that the pace bowler would be fit for the next series against Australia.
“We are expecting Shami to be fit for the next series against South Africa. There is 10 days before that series starts. So we are more than hopeful you can say,” he said.
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Umesh To Replace Mohammed Shami?
According to the PTI source, Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav who recently recovered from a quadriceps injury will replace Shami. “Umesh was doing his rehab at the NCA after he came back and it was not a tear, so he has now recovered and is fit to play,” he said.
35-year-old Umesh last played his seven T20Is in 2019 against Australia. His comeback would be nothing short of a fairytale in this format as his county stint with Middlesex was cut short by a quadriceps injury.
He had a terrific first leg of t 2022 IPL for KKR when he swung the ball at a great pace.
For Middlesex, he had a terrific Royal London Cup in which he took 16 wickets in 7 List A games including a five-wicket and a four-wicket haul.
(With Agency Inputs)