India began their home season with a dominating 2-0 Test series win over Bangladesh two weeks back. The cricket team will play two more Test series, and those are the last two for them in the current cycle of World Test Championship. India is set to play a grueling five-match Test series in Australia which will be starting from November 22. India has registered two consecutive wins and will be looking forward to continue with their winning streak while the Aussies will be eyeing a strong comeback.

What Does Mohammed Shami’s Return Mean For Siraj & Akashdeep?

Discussions on possible Indian combinations have really gained momentum with the series just around the corner. Former India selector Jatin Paranjape in conversation with Times of India regarding the series, which served up some new perspectives on composition of bowling. Much of the strategy with India would be dictated by the availability of Mohammed Shami, who is out of the playing XI due to his injury. Although he was likely to return for the Ranji Trophy, Shami is not in Bengal’s initial two games squad.

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With the uncertainty over Shami’s fitness, Paranjape believed that if he can’t play, Akash Deep would go with the team to Australia as the third pacer apart from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

“If he (Shami) is not fit, Siraj will obviously become the second fast bowler behind Bumrah. The third bowler spot will go to Akash Deep if Shami is unavailable. I think India will take five fast bowlers on this tour, and those will be Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Kumar. They will also take Arshdeep and one or two other fast bowlers as backups,” said Paranjape.

Paranjape Picks Akashdeep Over Siraj

Paranjape, however, put forth a rather unconventional idea regarding Shami’s availability. If the star Indian pacer is fit to play, he proposed that Akash Deep should be preferred ahead of Siraj in the lineup.

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“Essentially, they will have a squad of 16, plus a backup squad of six or seven players who will travel with the team in case of injuries. If Shami is fit—and I think he will be—I’d be tempted to play Akash Deep ahead of Mohammed Siraj, purely based on current form,” said the former selector