The BCCI has confirmed that the medical panel has not cleared Shami for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. Shami, India’s veteran pacer, will not be traveling to South Africa for the Test tour due to this medical clearance issue.
In addition, pacer Deepak Chahar has withdrawn from India’s ODI leg of the South Africa series due to a medical emergency at his home. The BCCI has been requested to remove his name from the ODI squad.
Shami has been dealing with an ankle condition, causing uncertainty about his participation in the Test series against the Proteas. With an impressive Test record, his absence could be a blow to India, as he has taken 229 wickets in 64 matches with an average of 27.71. He was also the top wicket-taker in the recently concluded ODI World Cup.
Deepak was initially selected for both T20I and ODI squads but was replaced by the uncapped player, Akash Deep, due to his inability to travel to South Africa because of a medical emergency at home.
Shreyas Iyer will only be available for the first ODI of the upcoming three-match series before joining the Test squad to prepare for the Test series leading up to the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test in Centurion.