Mohammed Shami tests positive for COVID-19; Ruled Out of T20I Series vs Australia

The much-awaited T20I comeback of Mohammed Shami will be delayed as the veteran pace bowler has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out of the Australia series starting in Mohali from September 20. Meanwhile, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav is named as a replacement, having recovered from a quadriceps injury.

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"Yes, Shami has tested COVID-19 positive. But there is nothing to worry about as the symptoms are mild. But he will have to remain in isolation and will be able to rejoin the squad once he tests negative. It is unfortunate but that is how life is."

a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity

Asked how long he thinks Mohammed Shami will take to recover. However, the source seemed hopeful that he would be fit for the next series against South Africa.

"We are expecting Shami to be fit for the next series against South Africa. There are 10 days before that series starts. So we are more than hope you can say," he said.

But 35-year-old Umesh Yadav's comeback is nothing short of a fairytale in this format as his county stint with Middlesex was cut short by a quadriceps injury. He had a terrific first leg of IPL 2022 for KKR when he swung the ball at a great pace. Umesh has last represented India in the shortest format back in 2019 against Australia.

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For Middlesex, he had a terrific Royal London Cup recently. In the tournament, he took 16 wickets in 7 List A games including a five-wicket and a four-wicket haul.

"Umesh was doing his rehab at the NCA after he came back and it was not a tear, so he has now recovered and is fit to play," the source said.