IND vs SA 2025: 'Not too many bowlers of Shami's quality but can't ignore Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna's performances' - Shubman Gill

Mohammed Shami has not played Test cricket for India since June 2023. He wasn't picked in the squads which played the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia as well as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year. The right-arm seamer's last international appearance came in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he finished as the team's joint-highest wicket-taker.

Despite picking up 15 wickets in three matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, the Bengal pacer wasn't selected in India's squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa.

Ahead of the first Test against the World Test Champions, Indian Test captain Shubman Gill acknowledged Shami's quality as a fast bowler but said that the performances of Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna can't be overlooked. The right-handed batter mentioned that the selectors will be in a better position to decide on Shami’s comeback when India next play a Test series.

“There aren’t many bowlers of Shami bhai’s quality. But we can’t ignore performances from players like Akash Deep and Prasidh. Bumrah and Siraj are also doing well, as we’ve seen. We also have an eye on where we’re playing our next Test series — the selectors would be better placed to answer that,” Shubman said in the press conference before the Kolkata Test.

South Africa are a very good team: Shubman Gill

Shubman highlighted the importance of the upcoming series against South Africa, saying that India's chances of progressing to the finals of the WTC depend on it. He also admitted that Temba Bavuma and Co. are a strong team.

“I think these two Test matches are very important for our chances of qualifying for the WTC final. South Africa are a very good team — they’re champions. When difficult moments came, we handled them well. The pitch is good, a typical Indian wicket,” Gill said.

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South Africa recently played a two-match Test series against Shan Masood and Co. in Pakistan, which they drew 1-1. Experts believe that this experience could help the Proteas when they face India.