Issues in Mohammed Shami's personal life can be a deciding factor for selection in the Test team for England

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has cleared the yo-yo test at the National Cricket Academy, at a time when Jasprit Bumrah is nursing a thumb injury and is likely to not be a part of India’s Test squad to face England. While Shami has proved his fitness, his mental status will still be a factor when the selectors sit down to form the team for the first few Test games in England.

It can be recalled that the Bengal pacer had failed to clear the yo-yo test ahead of India’s one-off Test with Afghanistan and was excluded from the team. But ever since, he was seen toiling hard at the NCA to get back to his groove and regain his fitness. The first of the five Tests against England begins on August 1 at Edgbaston.

Shami’s wife had alleged domestic violence 

A major concern for Shami, however, is that his mind has been distracted ever since his wife Hasin Jahan publicly put several allegations on him, including charges of domestic violence. Speaking to CricketNext, a BCCI official said that Shami’s mental state will be a deciding factor for his selection.

“It is not about his bowling ability. The selectors will have to decide if Shami has got his focus back after the issues at home had distracted him. The mental demons are the issue, not his game. If he is not mentally 100 per cent, he cannot fire on the field,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Shami’s childhood coach Badruddin said that Shami is mentally in the right frame of mind to play international cricket. He also revealed that Shami is back home from the NCA, and will start preparing for the England tour soon.

“We have been talking regularly and passing the fitness test has come as a big relief. These things can keep playing on your mind. Also, the issues on the home front is now not distracting him and he is at ease with himself. Shami was bowling at the NCA and now that he is back home we will start preparing for the England series in a couple of days,” he told CricketNext.

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