File photo of the Indian cricket team.© AFP
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who played a big role in the team's Test victory in Centurion in 2021, will be missed for the two-match Test series against South Africa due to his left heel injury. Initially, Shami's participation in the Test series was fitness dependent but he did not recover in time and hence was not cleared by the BCCI Medical Team. While admitting that Shami will be a “big miss” during the Test series against South Africa, Rohit hinted that Mukesh Kumar or Prasidh Krishna will replace the pacer while confirming the participation of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
“What he (Mohammed Shami) has done for our team over the years is obviously a big miss, but someone will replace him. Try to fill that role and it won't be easy, but we are confident,” said Rohit. to the media on the eve of the first test match against South Africa.
“Prasidh (Krishna) can bounce a lot because of his height and Mukesh can swing the ball. We would look at the pitch today and decide whether we want someone to bowl up or back. We have decided 75 percent and rest 25 percent we would tomorrow do,” the skipper replied with a wry smile.
On the other hand, South African frontline pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi hit the nets ahead of the 'Boxing Day' Test and the team's head coach Shukri Conrad on Saturday expressed confidence that India will not be able to break their 'Final Frontier'. in the upcoming series.
Rabada was rested from the white ball while nursing a heel problem, while Ngidi withdrew after picking up a left ankle injury ahead of the T20Is.
But on Saturday afternoon, Rabada and Ngidi bowled at full strength on the middle training wicket at Supersport Park and opposite them was Dean Elgar, who is playing in his final series.
The Centurion circuit is every racer's dream, although India had the upper hand over South Africa last time. The head coach wishes his lethal weapons were firing on all cylinders.
(With PTI inputs)
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