IND vs WI: Why is Mohammed Shami Not Playing West Indies vs India 1st Test? Check India Playing XI

Interestingly, India are not playing their senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami in the upcoming tour to West Indies that comprises of 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20I games. The India tour to West Indies kickstarts with the two-match Test series beginning with the opening Test match at the Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica from 12 July, 2023. Except for losing the WTC Final 2023, India have been in a brilliant form in the longest format of the game and they have not lost a single Test against West Indies in the last 21 years.

IND vs WI: Why is Mohammed Shami Not Playing West Indies vs India 1st Test?

India’s senior pacer Mohammed Shami will not be part of the playing XI for the WI vs IND 1st Test and subsequently, for the entire tour of West Indies as well. It seems that the Indian team management are trying to manage the workload of the senior fast bowler which is why he has been rested from the Tests, ODIs and T20I matches against West Indies. With Jasprit Bumrah still struggling with fitness issues, Shami is very much likely to lead the Indian pace bowling attack in the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled to be played at home later this year. He ended up picking as many as 4 wickets in the WTC final 2023 against Australia, but the 32-year-old has been constantly playing international cricket and the IPL 2023 in the recent while.

In his absence, right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj will be leading the fast bowling attack for India against West Indies alongside Jaydev Unadkat. There will be a toss up for the third seamer’s spot between the trio of Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar.

India Playing XI

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Ishan Kishan (WK)
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Shardul Thakur
10. Jaydev Unadkat
11. Mohammed Siraj

WI vs IND 2023 Schedule