The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will not feature in the Indian squad for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Despite fully recovering from a right heel injury earlier this year, Shami has been sidelined due to swelling in his left knee.

Shami, who last represented India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023, made his comeback to competitive cricket during Bengal's Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh.

According to the BCCI, "Shami bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November. Following this, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he also engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches.

However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period.

Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee."

India’s Focus on Boxing Day Test

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, the third Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting on December 26 is crucial for both teams. India needs two victories in the remaining games to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, while Australia requires two wins and a draw to seal their spot.

India's inconsistent performances have raised concerns, particularly with the struggling top order. KL Rahul’s composed 84 in the third Test remains a rare highlight, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are yet to find consistent form, though Kohli’s century in the series opener was a positive sign.

Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the bowling attack, but India needs stronger support from the rest of the unit. Shami’s absence is a blow, particularly as India seeks to replicate their dominant Boxing Day Test victory in 2021, which featured a memorable century from Ajinkya Rahane.

As the Boxing Day Test approaches, the team faces mounting pressure to deliver a strong performance and take the upper hand in the series. Fans will be eager to see if India can rise to the occasion at the iconic MCG.