What did Gill say about Shami?Image Credit source: PTI
India vs South Africa Test: The Indian team will start the Test series against South Africa at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata from 14th November. Test cricket is returning to Kolkata after a long wait of 6 years. Most of the Indian players from the last Test match played here in 2019 are not part of this series. One of them is fast bowler Mohammed Shami, for whom Eden Gardens is also his home ground. Shami was not selected by the selectors for this series, on which there has been controversy. Many statements have been made on this and now captain Shubman Gill, while replying on this issue for the first time, talked about Shami’s ability.
On Thursday, November 13, a day before the Test match to be held in Kolkata from Friday, Gill answered many questions in a press conference. In this, one question was regarding the uproar created due to Shami not being selected. The Indian captain clearly said that he cannot say anything on the issue of selection. Gill said simply, “The selectors will be able to give you a better answer to this.”
Gill took the names of these two bowlers
Obviously, as a captain, Gill, who took command only 6 months ago, will not speak openly on this controversial issue, as previous captains have also done. But Shubhman Gill definitely praised Shami and admitted that it would be very difficult for the veteran pacer. Gill said in the press conference, “There are not many bowlers of his quality. But you also cannot ignore the performance of current bowlers like Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna. Sometimes it can be difficult for players like Shami Bhai to sit out.”
Haven’t played test cricket for two and a half years
Shami has not played any Test match since the World Test Championship Final 2023. He has been out of Team India since the injury he suffered in the final of the World Cup 2023. His fitness has been under question. He definitely returned in the Champions Trophy 2025 and bowled well but after that he did not get a chance again. Recently, Shami, who bowled well in Ranji Trophy, had raised questions on his ignorance and said that he can only work hard from his side. In response to this, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had said that he wanted to take Shami to Australia and England but he was not fit and his fitness is still not visible completely.