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Ace Indian seamer Mohammed Shami missed out on making the 18-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia starting November 22 in Perth.

The BCCI selectors named a star-studded pace attack, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the bunch.

Though Shami declared himself 100% match-fit during a promotional event in Gurugram the past week, the selectors decided against rushing him into playing Test cricket.

However, the latest reports suggest that all is not over for India quick, as he may link up with the BGT-bound Test squad midway into the Australia series after proving match fitness. 

The right-arm seamer began bowling in the nets following the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru after the second game ended in Pune, he resumed training, bowling to India batter Shubman Gill at full throttle.

The report also suggested that Shami aims to play two Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal against Karnataka in Bengaluru on November 6 and against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, commencing on November 13.

Should he clear the match fitness criteria, the Indian pacer will link up with the Test team ahead of the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane starting December 14.

Meanwhile, Shami is currently back at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, training for his return to competitive cricket.

“Yes, we have heard that Shami may join the Bengal team for the Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, as the side will be coming to Bengaluru, where he’s already training, preparing to his absolute best and doing his bowling practice at the NCA.

Everyone around him has been working hard to ensure he hopefully gets to play the game against Karnataka from November 6.”

“The parameters NCA people could observe for him would be around the number of overs he bowls, and how his recovery process is after being out on the field for a day or even after featuring in all four days of the Ranji Trophy games.

If all of the processes with regards to him go well, then one probably may see him be with the Indian team from the Brisbane Test happening from December 14-18,” a source close to the information said, as quoted by News18.

Shami’s run to the top
The Indian fast bowler wreaked havoc during the home World Cup last year, picking 24 wickets in just seven games, averaging 10.71.

He bagged his career-best figures of 7/59 against New Zealand in Mumbai in the semis but failed to guide his team home against Australia in the summit clash.

Meanwhile, alongside Bumrah, Shami remains India’s top bowler across formats, with Test being his standout one.

In 64 matches played thus far, Shami has picked 229 wickets, averaging close to 28.