INDIA-AFGHANISTAN TEST

Shami out of Afghanistan Test after failing to prove fitness

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Shami failed to clear the fitness test at the NCA. © Getty

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has failed to clear the fitness test at the NCA in Bengaluru ahead of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, BCCI confirmed on Monday (June 11). As a result, the national selectors named Delhi seamer Navdeep Saini as his replacement.

Saini impressed in the 2017-18 Ranji season, picking up 34 wickets in eight games and was also called up to bowl to the Indian batsmen during the tour of South Africa.

Shami, 27, has had issues with his fitness throughout his career. Earlier this year, he played all three Tests in South Africa and ended up picking 15 wickets. He is expected to play a vital part of India's pace attack ahead of their overseas assignments in England and Australia later this year.

Sanju Samson replaced by Ishan Kishan in 'A' team

Apart from Shami, Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson also suffered a setback as he was removed from the India A squad for the One-Day series in England after failing to clear the yo-yo fitness test. 19-year-old Jharkhand stumper Ishan Kishan has been announced as Samson's replacement.

A report in the Mumbai Mirror has claimed that Samson failed to clear the yo-yo test, which has become a necessity for selection in the Indian squads. Apart from Samson, some high-profile names like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and young allrounder Washington Sundar have also failed to clear the basic mark of 16.1 last year. Raina and Sundar then went onto clear the test to earn a spot in the Indian limited-overs teams.

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