Indian pacemaker Mohammed Shami will miss the remaining three events against Australia after sustaining a broken wrist during the first match of the series. The fast pitcher was hit in the elbow by a short ball from Pat Cummins during India’s second inning on Saturday, which ended in a record 36-for-nine. They took him to a hospital for an examination, which revealed a fracture. “Mohammed Shami has a fracture and the chances of him participating in the remaining three test matches are close to zero,” a BCCI source told PTI under conditions of anonymity.
He added that Mohammed Siraj, for his impressive show in the two prep games, will be in line to debut at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
With Virat Kohli available for the next three games due to his impending fatherhood, the Indian team is dealing with many problems on multiple fronts.
Shami has been one of India’s deadliest weapons and its absence will not only weaken the bowling attack, but India will also miss a healthy cricket brain on the field.
The fact that Shami will not be available was indicative when skipper Kohli, at the post-game introduction ceremony, said the speedy pitcher had a hard time even raising his arm.
“He was in a lot of pain, he couldn’t even lift his arm. We’ll probably find out by night what happens,” Kohli revealed after the visitors succumbed to an eight-wicket loss.
The team’s medical staff were quick to assist him during the match and after some deliberation, Shami decided to walk back to the locker room finishing the visitors’ innings in 21.2 overs.
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After physical therapist Nitin Patel applied what looked like pain reliever spray, Shami tried to resume hitting but did not seem comfortable and decided not to continue.
India is now 0-1 down in the four-game series. The two teams will meet again on December 26 for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, where the visitors will be left without the services of Kohli, who will return home for the birth of her first child.
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