There is still no clarity about Skipper Rohit Sharma's plans to travel to Australia. His wife recently delivered a baby so it is expected that he will leave soon and the exact date is still to be known. Thus it is most likely that he will also miss the series opener and Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no immediate plans to send Mohammed Shami to Australia.

Mohammed Shami makes a solid comeback to competitive cricket

The Team India Pacer Mohammed Shami made his return to competitive cricket almost after a year, he played a Ranji trophy game between Madhya Pradesh and Bengal in Indore. Pacer scalped four wickets in the first innings and three wickets in the second innings. Eventually, Bengal won the game by 11 runs. Meanwhile, Team Management suggests that Shami should play more domestic games before being included in the team again. This indicates that Shami might play for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, which starts in about a week.

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The India A Team led by Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to return to India in the next 24 hours. However, Devdutt Padikkal will not accompany them as Team India Management has decided to retain the batter for the senior team, which will compete in the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia over the next 50 days.

This decision has to be taken due to injuries and the unavailability of two key players. Top Order batter Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the series opener as he fractured his thumb during a simulation match at WACA. Skipper Rohit Sharma, who stayed back in India for the birth of his second child is also unlikely to be available for the First Test. KL Rahul also had an injury concern after being hit on the elbow, however, some good news from the camp is that KL Rahul batted during the Three-Day match simulation at  WACA on Sunday (17 November).

Devdutt Padikkal showed some resilience against Australia A

Padikkal recorded scores of 36, 88, 26, and 1 in his four recent innings against the Australia A team. Although these performances might not normally earn him a place in the senior national team, the management thinks his experience and knowledge of Australian conditions make him a good choice as a backup batter. Padikkal has been featured in the only Test against England this year. He has featured in T20Is as well.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami shined on his first-class cricket return as Bengal secured a crucial victory against Madhya Pradesh to climb in the points table. The thrilling match ended with Shami’s success.

After picking four wickets during Madhya Pradesh’s first innings, Mohammed Shami took three wickets in the fourth innings. 

Chasing the 338-run target in the fourth innings, Madhya Pradesh started the fourth day at 150/3.

Mohammed Shami started the fourth day with a wicket

While Shami took one wicket last day by dismissing Anubhav Agarwal (2), he started the final day of the match with a wicket. On the third ball of the day, Shami bowled Rajat Patidar for 32 runs. 

Soon, Shami’s brother Mohammed Kaif took the wicket of Harpreet Singh (7). 

Middle-orders and lower-middle orders frustrated Bengal

Struggling at 161/5, Madhya Pradesh returned to the game with the sixth wicket partnership between the skipper Shubham Sharma (61) and Venkatesh Iyer (53). While both scored half-centuries, they had a partnership of 94 runs.   

However, Madhya Pradesh were under pressure once again after the dismissals of captain Sharma and Iyer in two consecutive overs without adding any runs. 

Aryan Pandey and Saransh Jain frustrated the visitors Bengal as they had a 62-run partnership for the seventh wicket. While Madhya Pradesh were 21 runs away from victory with three wickets in hand, Shahbaz Ahmed and Shami destroyed the hosts' hope by sharing the last three wickets.

Shahbaz dismissed the set batters and Shami took the match-winning wicket

While Shahbaz dismissed both Pandey (22) and Jain (32), Shami took the last wicket by taking the wicket of Kumar Kartikeya (6) as Bengal won by 11 runs. With this win, Bengal climbed the Elite Group C points table with 14 points after five matches. 

Shami also had valuable contribution with the bat

Shami not only took seven wickets, but he also scored quickfire 37 runs off 36 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes in Bengal’s second innings, which proved valuable for the visitors. Before he was stumped out, he had a 29-run last-wicket partnership with his brother Mohammed Kaif.

It is great news for Indian cricket fans as Shami has proved his fitness. While the beginning of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 is less than a week away, we can see fit Shami in the crucial away Test series. 

While the 34-year-old right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami just returned to the game in an incredible way, there is a new update growing in Indian cricket.

Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He shined in the tournament with 24 wickets after seven games, as he last played an international match on November 15, 2023, where India lost the final against Australia. 

After the ODI WC 2023, Shami was struggling with an ankle injury. Last February, he underwent surgery in London. His recovery period became longer. 

Recently, Shami was seen to bowl in the nets in full rhythm. In the ongoing fifth round of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 Elite group stages, Shami finally made his comeback in a competitive match. 

SEE ALSO: Shami makes stunning comeback, takes four wickets for Bengal in Ranji Trophy

Mohammed Shami took four wickets on his comeback

Serving for Bengal, Shami impressed with his incredible bowling performance against the hosts Madhya Pradesh. After Bengal were all out for 228 runs in the first innings, Shami and his brother, Mohammed Kaif, and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal dominated the hosts and bundled them out for 167 runs. After returning to the game for almost a year, Shami picked up four wickets, including the last three wickets.

Shami ended that innings with the bowling figures 19-4-54-4. Jaiswal (2/35) and Shami’s brother Kaif (2/41) took two wickets each. Their bowling provided Bengal with a crucial 61-run lead. 

After Shami’s latest performance, the talk about his potential presence on the Australia tour for the five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) is only rising. 

A good chance Shami will be boarding the flight to Australia

According to a PTI journalist, if Shami maintains his fitness in the second innings of the ongoing Ranji match against the hosts Madhya Pradesh, and there are no post-match issues, like swelling or pain, the Indian pacer can be considered for the Australia tour.

While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 will begin on November 22 at Perth, Shami’s presence is doubtful for the Test series opener. However, he can play from the second Test of the five-match series, as Adelaide will host the second Test from December 6, which will also be a day/night Test.   

Some #CricketUpdates
If Mohammed Shami goes without any fitness hiccup during MP 2nd Innings and if there is no post-match swelling or pain, there is more than a good chance he will be boarding the flight to Australia. Might not be Perth bound but could certainly be Adelaide…

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) November 14, 2024

Excellent comeback 💥@MdShami11 bowled an impressive spell of 4/54 on his comeback, playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the #RanjiTrophy match in Indore 👌👌

Watch 📽️ highlights of his spell in the first innings 🔽@IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard: https://t.co/54IeDz9fWu pic.twitter.com/sxKktrQJbL

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) November 14, 2024

Mohammed Shami marked his Ranji Trophy comeback with a superb four-wicket haul for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, a performance that has reignited hopes of his inclusion in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Shami's fiery spell helped Bengal restrict MP to a modest first-innings score of 167, giving Bengal a crucial 61-run lead on Day 2. With his pace, movement, and trademark accuracy, Shami made a strong case for his potential return to the Indian lineup ahead of the high-stakes series.

Shami’s four-wicket burst powers Bengal to first Innings advantage

Returning to the domestic stage with a point to prove, India’s pace ace Mohammed Shami unleashed his signature seam and swing to dismantle Madhya Pradesh’s lineup in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match. Shami’s impressive figures of 4/54 in 19 overs highlighted his ability to extract both movement and pace, a critical factor in restricting MP to just 167 runs in their first innings. Bengal gained a 61-run lead by lunch on Day 2, thanks to Shami’s fiery spell, which featured well-placed bouncers, searing yorkers, and disciplined line and length, keeping the opposition on the back foot throughout.

Shami’s accuracy and control left MP’s top and middle order in shambles. He delivered a consistent pace attack with a remarkable economy of just 2.80, proving his ability to handle high-pressure situations even after a period away from the international spotlight. While Bengal’s bowlers capitalized on Shami’s breakthrough performance, the veteran pacer’s potential return to the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could add further depth to India’s pace attack, especially on Australia’s fast, bouncy tracks.

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Border-Gavaskar Trophy hopes rest on Shami’s impressive Ranji show

Shami’s availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia remains a pressing question for the Indian team. Initially omitted from the BGT squad due to fitness concerns, Shami’s selection was withheld to ensure that he would be fully prepared for the challenging Australian conditions. Team India captain Rohit Sharma had commented on this decision, saying they wanted a fully fit Shami, avoiding any risk with an “undercooked” bowler in a critical series.

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy slated to begin on November 22 in Perth, a venue known for its pace-friendly pitch, Shami’s form and fitness become even more crucial. The Indian team has relied heavily on its pace arsenal in recent years, and Shami’s experience in handling high-bounce wickets makes him an asset that could complement India’s lineup alongside other frontline seamers.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has publicly stated that Shami’s bowling style is well-suited for Australia’s conditions, especially in Perth and Adelaide, where his ability to exploit the pace and bounce could be invaluable. Shami’s Ranji performance has sparked conversations about a possible call-up, and his inclusion could address a potential gap in India’s pace lineup for the high-stakes series against Australia.

India’s supporters and cricket pundits alike will be watching Shami’s domestic performances with keen interest, as his potential return could boost India’s campaign in Australia, where the team will face one of its most challenging tours. If Shami proves his form and resilience in this Ranji match, he might just find himself on a flight to Australia, ready to take on the world’s best in the iconic Border-Gavaskar series.

Kolkata Knight Riders had a memorable previous edition, earning their third-ever IPL title after a massive gap of ten years. With an optimum mix of reliable players and a robust coaching staff, the team bet all the odds and claimed success. But, their retained list had several polar opinions from critics and fanatics, as they haven't retained the captain who led to their triumph.

With their retention list comprising of emerging and experienced campaigners, they haven't opted for having the Right-to-Match (RTM) option as they have filled all the spots so that it will be some new players venturing into the defending champions' side. That said, here are the potential five-player picks that the Knight Riders would go all out for in the forthcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis could be one of the primary targets for the Men in Purple management, as he ticks the boxes of an experienced power batter and a reliable captain. Considering that the side only has INR 51 Crore left in their purse, they can give their all to buy him, as they can rely on his captaincy expertise.

With just three editions for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has taken them twice to the final stages of the playoffs; the side can rest assured in giving him the captaincy position for the upcoming editions. In the last edition, he has made 438 runs in 15 matches at a decent average of over 30.

Ishan Kishan

The Kolkata Knight Riders will not change their powerful hitting lineup for IPL 2025. They can, however, target young Indian wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, who has been freed by the Mumbai Indians, keeping in mind that the team also requires a reliable wicketkeeper. Kishan is known for his aggressive batting and power-hitting ability.

Kishan could be an excellent addition to KKR's star-studded batting lineup, which includes Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. Kishan has recently been uneven with the bat, but recent matches in the local arena have helped to boost the confidence of all franchises in the Mega Auction. In 2024, he made 320 runs in 14 games, averaging at 23. 

Mohammed Shami

The Kolkata Knight Riders will now want to add an experienced fast bowler to their team for the IPL 2025. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, they might want to sign experienced Indian bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm bowler is now recovering from a knee injury sustained during his outstanding 2023 Cricket World Cup performance, in which he took an incredible number of wickets in just a few games.

Surprisingly, he has been released by the Gujarat Titans. The KKR management is expected to spend a large sum on him at the mega auction in Jeddah since he has played an essential role in whichever squad he has been a member of in his cricketing environment. Also, with several other franchises putting all their efforts into his acquisition, he could probably be one of the most expensive players in the upcoming mega auction.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru should target for in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Phil Salt

Phil Salt excelled in the top order for KKR in the IPL 2024. His aggressive hitting style might help the squad get off to a fast start. In this case, KKR wants to return him to the team for another season. Phil Salt was pivotal to KKR's successful season last year, scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 182 in 12 innings, including four fifties.

Despite his excellent performance, KKR dismissed him due to a surplus of players. On the other hand, Salt is an aggressive top-order batsman who maintains wickets and has league experience. Given his achievements, the three-time champions would go all and out for bringing him back to the side, even with the unavailability of an RTM card. 

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi symbolises a solid IPL-batter package, thanks to his aggressive approach in obtaining crucial runs. He has consistently performed for any team he has ever represented, frequently stepping up when the squad needed him the most.

His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him essential. Tripathi's IPL experience and ability to score crucial runs make him a solid pick for any club. His retention would offer the squad stability and a player around whom to build tactics. In his 2024 stay, he scored 165 runs in just six matches, with a remarkable strike rate above 140. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour. While the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is currently recovering, is there any chance for him to return to the Test squad for the forthcoming Australia tour? 

In the Australia tour, India will play a five-match Test series, which is also known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This Test series will be part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, as all five Tests are important for the defending champions Australia and the two-time runners-up India. This Test series will start on November 22. 

Indian pace bowling squad for the upcoming Australia tour

For the upcoming Australia tour, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian pace-bowling line-up, while the other pacers are Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and the uncapped Harshit Rana. Also, the pacers Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed have been named in the reserves squad for the tour.

SEE ALSO: Bengal coach reveals Mohammed Shami's fitness status

Mohammed Shami is in the recovery process

The 34-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami hasn’t played a competitive match since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia in November 2023. Due to his ankle injury, he underwent surgery in London early this year. He is still in the recovery process, while recently he was seen in the net to bowl in a strong rhythm.

While Shami has already missed out on the first three Bengal matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he is likely to play Bengal’s next fixture against the hosts Karnataka, starting on November 6. 

According to media reports, if Shami proves his fitness in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, he can be added to the Indian Test squad.

The Indian Express report claims, "A call on Mohammed Shami's inclusion will be taken after the pacer proves his fitness in the Ranji Trophy. As reported earlier, Shami is expected to play Bengal's fourth round match against Karnataka in Bengaluru in the first week of November after Diwali."

While most Indian pacers lack experience in Australia, Shami’s presence can prove huge for the Indian team.

While the Indian cricket team is struggling to handle New Zealand at home, the team will play the next Test series in Australia. There is a big question whether Mohammed Shami will be available for the Australia tour or not. Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla revealed Shami’s present fitness status. 

India will play a five-match Test series against the hosts Australia from November 22. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. While the Indian pacers will have to play an important role in this upcoming tour, Mohammed Shami’s presence can be an important factor for the visitors. 

SEE ALSO: Yashasvi Jaiswal creates new record in Indian Test cricket

Mohammed Shami hasn't played for almost a year

The 34-year-old Mohammed Shami last time played a competitive cricket match during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad last November. 

While Shami was suffering from an ankle injury, he underwent surgery in London last February. He is now in the recovery process. He missed out on the home Test series against Bangladesh and the ongoing New Zealand. 

Shami hasn’t played for Bengal either this season. Recently, after India lost against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test, Shami was seen to bowl in full rhythm at the nets. 

The Bengal coach revealed what Shami said recently

Bengal will play their third game of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 against Kerala, which they will host from October 26. Although Shami will miss the upcoming challenge against Kerala, he is expected to represent Bengal in the next two Ranji Trophy fixtures.  

Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla told The Indian Express, “He (Mohammed Shami) is not available for this match (vs Kerala), but we are hopeful that Shami will join us for games against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.” 

Bengal coach further revealed that Shami was keen to play some Ranji Trophy matches before traveling to Australia.

Shukla added, “He is a valuable player for India and the team will require his service for the Australia series. Recently, he mentioned how keen he is about playing a couple of Ranji games for Bengal before travelling to Australia. Good outings in the Ranji Trophy will be good for him ahead of the Australia tour and will be a big boost for us our four key players are playing for India and India A.” 

It will be great for the Indian national cricket team if Shami gets some match practice before returning to Test cricket, which he last played during the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023.  

Indian cricket is desperately waiting for Mohammed Shami’s comeback. The 34-year-old right-arm fast bowler was spotted bowling in the nets at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

While the Bengaluru Test experienced India’s heartbreaking defeat against New Zealand despite a strong fight back at the late moment, Mohammed Shami’s bowling return brings some better feeling for the Indian cricket fans. 

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia at Ahmedabad was the last game for Mohammed Shami. Since then, he hasn’t played a competitive match due to his ankle injury. Last February, Shami underwent surgery in London. He is currently in the recovery process.

Indian cricket isn’t rushing on Shami, which can bring some severe risk to his cricket career. After missing the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, he hasn’t been selected for the ongoing three-match home Test series against New Zealand.

Watch: Has KL Rahul played the last Test of his career?

After the New Zealand Test series at home, India will travel to South Africa for a T20I series before touring Australia for a much-awaited five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). The Indian national cricket team is expecting him in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but there are still significant questions and doubts about his availability for the series.

Mohammed Shami bowled for more than an hour

At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Shami was seen in fielding drills and also bowled for more than an hour on Sunday (October 20). While he was bowling with heavy strapping on his left knee, he still bowled in full rhythm to the batter Abhishek Nayar, the assistant coach.

The new bowling coach Morne Morkel was observing Shami’s bowling. 

Mohammed Shami in action 🔥@MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/qzXHHub4J9

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 20, 2024

Shami was also seen to bowl at the end of the second day of the Bengaluru Test match. 

Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the last ODI World Cup

Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. While the hosts India finished as the runners-up, Shami took 24 wickets in only seven games, including three fifers. Initially, he wasn’t selected in the playing XIs for India’s first four fixtures.  

Star India pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the India-New Zealand Test series. While it gave India a setback as they look for a win in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia, captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that they would not want to rush him back into international cricket as his recovery had hit a hurdle.

"To be honest, right now it is very difficult for us to make a call on him [Shami] whether he will be fit for this series or Australia series," said Rohit Sharma in a press conference ahead of the Bengaluru Test. "He recently had a setback. He had a swelling in his knee, which was quite unusual while he was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100%. That put him back a little bit in his recovery."

"So he had to start again fresh. Right now, he is at NCA. He is working with the physios, the doctors at NCA. We are keeping our fingers crossed. We want him to be fit. We want him to be 100% fit. More than anything else, we don't want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. That is not going to be the right decision for us," he again shared.

Mohammed Shami uncertain about the Australia Test series

However, Shami had been sidelined with a left Achilles heel injury after the ODI World Cup last year, and the knee complication has made things worse which has left Rohit Sharma thinking of when he could return during the Australia series as well.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Top 5 captains of the tournament

"It is quite tough for a fast bowler having missed so much of cricket. Then suddenly to come out and be at his best, it is not ideal. We want to give him enough time to recover and be 100% fit. The physios, the trainers, the doctors have set a road map for him. He is supposed to play a couple of games before he plays international cricket. We will see where he is at after this New Zealand series. Then take a call at what stage of Australia he will be fit for us," he again said.

Rohit Sharma hopes youngsters to step up

Meanwhile, Team India have included "traveling reserves" for the Test series against New Zealand - Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav and Nitish Reddy. On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna, who was supposed to be with the team, is reported to have faced another setback during Karnataka's Ranji Trophy as well. He could bowl only eight overs of the 140 that Karnataka bowled against Madhya Pradesh as well. Rohit also mentioned that all the back-ups are in with a chance to be considered for the Australia series as well.

"The reason we wanted to keep them close to us was because we are thinking of them to take them to Australia. So we just want to monitor them and see their workload. A lot of these guys have injuries in the past. So it's important that we try and build them up and see what kind of options do we have. Like I said, we want to create bench strength. We want to create a group of fast bowlers where we have 8 or 9 options with us. It's not about 3 or 4 options. So we want to try and do that," he concluded.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s absence for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh. He also praised another Bengal pacer Akash Deep.

Last Sunday (September 8), the men’s national selection committee chose the 16-member Indian squad for the first Test of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at Chennai. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, which will begin on September 19. 

Although it was expected that Mohammed Shami could return to the national squad for the Chennai Test after recovering from the injury, the selectors have decided to give him more time in the recovery process.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about Shami’s injury. He feels that Shami will be more important for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

Ganguly said, according to the PTI, “I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It’s still a very good attack.”

Akash Deep is one to watch out for: Sourav Ganguly

For the upcoming Chennai Test, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are ready in the Indian pace-bowling line-up along with Akash Deep and the uncapped left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.

SEE ALSO: Yash Dayal earns Test call-up after battling IPL horror debut: A remarkable journey

Ganguly highly praised the 27-year-old right-arm pacer Akash Deep. The former Indian captain believes that he is one to watch out for.  

Ganguly said, “Akash Deep is an outstanding young fast bowler. He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods. I’ve seen him play for Bengal, taking wickets. He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s. He is one to watch out for.”

In his 32 first-class matches, Akash Deep took 116 wickets. He also picked up 42 wickets in 28 List A games, and 49 wickets in 42 T20s. During the Ranchi Test against England last February, he made his Test debut and picked up three wickets. He is also a handy right-handed batter.  

During the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 first round, India A cricketer Akash Deep took nine wickets (4/60 and 5/56) and scored 11 and fighting 43 runs. However, they still suffered a defeat against India B. 

India are a very good team: Sourav Ganguly

Talking about the upcoming Chennai Test, the former Indian captain talked about the strong Indian spin-bowling line-up.  

Ganguly said, “In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment — it won’t be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team.”

Sourav Ganguly talked about upcoming Australia and England tour

Later this year, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). In mid-2025, India will tour England for another five-match Test series. Ganguly feels that these two away Test series will be the real test for the Indian cricket team. 

Ganguly said, “I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong.”