Mohammed Shami’s selection for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting from November 22, rests on his fitness, the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary Jay Shah said.

“Shami playing the Australia series or not is a matter of his fitness and a decision will be taken after the NCA report,” Shah told ANI.

The veteran India fast bowler is still to make a comeback for the national team since his participation in the World Cup 2023. He missed the IPL 2024 after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London, earlier in February this year.

Since then, he has been recovering in his hometown in Amroha and working under physiotherapists for his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. It is expected that he might return to the India squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh with the chief selector Ajit Agarkar indicating his possible return.

“We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment and hope they will be back up. Shami has started to bowl which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal. I do not know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that,” Agarkar was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Shami has an impressive record in Australia and could prove to be crucial for India in retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has scalped 31 wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.16 with the best bowling figures of 6/56 besides recording two five wicket-haul Down Under.