Ravi Shastri remains hopeful as India anticipate the comeback of a 'true game-changer': 'He's still a key player'

In Kanpur, as India moves closer to a historic victory, the ball is starting to reverse swing in the favor of the team. Coach Shastri believes that Shami, who hails from Amroha and likely honed his skills at the Green Park Stadium, could have been a crucial asset in this situation. With Shami's potential comeback to the Test team, Shastri is optimistic that India is eagerly anticipating his return and hoping for a successful rehabilitation process.

"Very few have a seam presentation like him in world cricket and he has bowled over a long period of time. Let's hope from India's point of view that is back to full fitness because he still has a role to play. We saw how good he was in the World Cup; he bowled quite magnificently albeit with the white ball. When it reverses, on a track like this he would have been ideal. He has played a lot of cricket; he knows these conditions. And he's a skidder, at you all the time. A genuine wicket-taker," Shastri said while doing commentary on Day 5 of the Test match.

Even though Shami remains a strong contender for a place in India's squad against Australia, his lack of game time puts him in a race against time. Which is why the New Zealand Test series is of utmost importance to him. Even if Shami can play two out of the three Tests, his ticket to Australia will pretty much be booked. With India taking part in a grueling five-Test series, rotating the fast bowlers will become eminent.

The last time India toured Australia, Shami's campaign was cut short after the first Test in Adelaide, where he suffered a broken arm and had to be ruled out. He may no longer be in India's T20I scheme of things, but Shami will be eager to hit the ground running and earn his place back in Tests, ODIs. Agreeing with Shastri, his broadcast partner and former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik acknowledged the greatness of Shami, highlighting the contributions of about India's true pace-bowling spearhead.

"Mohammed Shami… what a record he has. Spearhead of the attack along with Jasprit Bumrah. And you can see why, the numbers talk for themselves," Karthik said echoing Shastri's thoughts.