Team India's veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is unlikely to travel to Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, as he has not yet received fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to reports, the BCCI’s medical team is still evaluating whether Shami’s body can handle the physical demands of Test cricket after his recent return to competitive action.

Shami, who recently participated in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), has shown glimpses of his form by taking eight wickets in seven matches for Bengal. Despite his promising performance, concerns remain over his endurance for the longer format. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, along with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has not yet given the final go-ahead for him to rejoin the national squad.

In November, a team from the NCA, including national selector SS Das, Sports Science head Nitin Patel, and Strength and Conditioning trainer Nishanta Bordule, closely monitored Shami’s recovery during the SMAT in Rajkot. While his bowling rhythm was reported to be intact, doubts persist regarding his ability to sustain the intensity of Test cricket, especially in Australian conditions.

Cricbuzz reports suggest that Shami’s chances of joining the team for the ongoing series are slim, with the third Test in Brisbane being the earliest possible return. However, the report also hints at the possibility that Shami might miss the entire Test series if his fitness does not improve in time.