Mohammed Shami will not play the Test series against South Africa starting on December 26, the BCCI confirmed on Saturday (December 16).
Shami’s participation in the tour is subject to his fitness and it has been confirmed that Quick will not play in the two-match Test series in South Africa. Since Shami has not received fitness clearance from his BCCI medical team, he will only be available for four Tests in 2023.
Shami took 14 wickets in India’s tour to South Africa in 2021-22 and ended up being the team’s top wicket-taker in the series, but India lost 2-1.
Deepak Chahar, who was scheduled to play his first ODI in over a year in the ODI series starting on Sunday, December 17, has requested to sit out the family game following a medical emergency. Akash Deep, who is yet to play an international match, will be called up to replace Chahal. He was sensational in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 10 scalps at an average of 11.60 and a strike rate of 22.8. The Bengal pacer also conceded 3.05 runs per over.
Akash, who represents Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, has taken 42 wickets in 28 List A matches since his debut in 2019.
The BCCI also confirmed that Rahul Dravid will lead the Test series as he has agreed to extend his tenure as head coach after his tenure ends after the 2023 World Cup. The support team consists of batting coach Vikram Latour, bowling coach Paras Mambray and fielding coach T. Dilip. BCCI has confirmed the contract extension.
However, they will miss the ODI series where Sitanshu Kotak will be appointed interim batting coach and Rajiv Dutta and Ajay Ratra will be appointed bowling and fielding coaches. Kotak was the interim coach for this year’s Ireland-India series, but Dravid was absent.
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