IND vs AFG: Mohammed Shami fails the fitness test; replacement announced

The historic one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan is only three days away now as both the teams are gearing up for the contest. While the hosts are the overwhelming favourites for the game, many are lauding Afghanistan as well for their rise in the game. However, Team India have been jolted with a severe blow as Mohammed Shami has failed to clear the yo-yo fitness test and has been dropped from the team.

Team India is already playing without their regular skipper Virat Kohli who was earlier going to miss the Test due to his County Commitments. But he injured his neck during the IPL and will undergo a fitness test later this week. They will also miss the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah who have been rested and Wriddhiman Saha due to the injury. Dinesh Karthik has already replaced him in the squad and will don the gloves for this game.

Who is the replacement?

The pacer from Bengal couldn’t clear the fitness test held at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and will not play the Test match against Afghanistan. The fast bowler Navdeep Saini has received a maiden call-up to the Test squad and is expected to join the team soon. He was with the Indian team in the nets during the South Africa tour earlier this year and impressed in the Ranji Trophy as well. Saini has been rewarded for his excellent showings in the domestic cricket last season when he scalped 34 wickets while playing for Delhi in 8 matches.

As far as Shami is concerned, the torrid time continues for him as his personal life is also in jeopardy currently with his wife making various allegations on him time and again. He was one of the vital cogs of the Indian side on South Africa tour and had picked 15 wickets in 3 Tests. He will now aim the England tour to make a comeback and hope to pass the fitness test next time around.

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