Mohammed Shami tests negative for COVID-19, shares report on Instagram story

Mohammed Shami has been one of the pillars of Indian fast bowling in recent times. However he hasn't been considered for selection in T20 internationals ever since the 2021 World Cup game vs Namibia.

Shami earned a recall as recently he was selected as part of the T20I series against Australia and South Africa, and was even part of the four standby players travelling with the squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia in October.

However, his hopes seemed to be crushed when Shami was ruled out of the series vs Australia after he tested positive for COVID-19. In fact, the right arm fast bowler was tested again and was tested positive which also ruled him unavailable for selection in the series against South Africa. He was replaced in the Australia series by another forgotten pacer in Umesh Yadav. In the series against South Africa he was replaced by Shahbaz Ahmed. Even young pacer Umran Malik was kept on standby.

However, now the pacer has recently come out with the good news that will bring relief to the hearts of Indian cricket fans. The fast bowler shared that he finally tested negative for COVID-19, as he shared his happiness at the news on a story posted on his Instagram profile.

Here's what he posted on Instagram:

Mohammad Shami has picked up 18 wickets in 17 T20Is, with best figures of 3/15, even though he has bowled at a pretty expensive economy rate of over 9 runs an over.

In IPL 2022, Shami underwent a sort of resurrection in the shortest format of the game. He picked up 20 wickets in 16 matches at a much moderate economy of 8, as he emerged as the highest wicket taker for debutant franchise Gujarat Titans, and eventually became one of the pillars in their team that guided them to victory in their very first season.

Though Mohammed Shami has finally tested negative, word is still not clear on whether she would be included in the team for the three-match T20I series against South Africa starting September 28 (Wednesday) at Thiruvananthapuram.