Star India player set to replace injured Mohammed Shami ahead of second Test against South Africa

The World number one ranked Test side, India suffered a humiliating loss in the hands of South Africa by an innings and 32 runs. With this loss the all the hype around India potentially breaching their final frontier have come to rest. They were actually been bamboozled within three days on a pitch which got better for batting eventually. The best that the Indian team can manage out of this series is 1-1 draw. After the game, India captain Rohit Sharma publicly criticized the performances of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishan, and Shardul Thakur, stating that the trio must step up to support Jasprit Bumrah.

After this loss, the Indian Cricket Board (ICB) has revealed its choice to include pacer Avesh Khan in India’s squad for the second Test. Avesh will step in for the unavailable Mohammed Shami, who continues to be sidelined due to an injury. Although initially selected for the South Africa tour, Shami couldn’t attain full fitness in time for the series’ commencement. Earlier, the board held off Shami’s participation in the first Test in Centurion, awaiting his complete recovery. However, with his unavailability persisting for the second Test, the board opted to designate Avesh as his replacement.

“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mohd. Shami for the second Test against South Africa to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town,” ICB said in the release.

India penalized for slow over rate in Centurion Test

India’s slow over rate in the Centurion Test has resulted in a deduction of two World Test Championship (WTC) points and a fine of 10% of their match fees. Consequently, India will drop from the fifth to the sixth position on the WTC points table. India fell short of the target by two overs when time allowances were factored in. Players incur a 5% fine on their match fee, and the team loses one point for each over they are deficient.

Following Article 2.22 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, pertaining to minimum over-rate offenses, players face a five percent fine on their match fee for each over their team fails to bowl within the allocated time. Additionally, as stipulated in Article 16.11.2 of the World Test Championship playing conditions, a team incurs a penalty of one point for each over it falls short. Consequently, India’s points total in the World Test Championship has been reduced by two points.