Sitanshu Kotak reveals update on Mohammed Shami’s fitness for Champions Trophy

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that Mohammed Shami is fit for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Shami played two T20Is against England and bagged three scalps in the fifth T20I after going wicketless in the third game.

Meanwhile, Shami returned with figures of 1-38 in the eight overs he bowled in the opening ODI at Nagpur against the visitors. Shami is making a comeback after a long time and his match fitness will be crucial for India in the Champions Trophy.

Shami has conceded 30 runs in the four overs he has bowled so far in the second ODI at Cuttack.

Kotak revealed that he is yet to receive an update from the medical team on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sitanshu Kotak told the media, “Mohammed Shami is absolutely fit. He is completely fit for the Champions Trophy. But I’m not aware of Bumrah’s scans, so that will be obvious; our doctor or physio will know about that.”

With no update on Jasprit Bumrah, India would want the services of their experienced seamer – Shami. The fast bowler from Bengal has bagged 196 wickets in 103 ODIs at an average of 23.91.

On the other hand, Kotak defended Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed for only two runs in the opening game.

Kotak said at the presser, “See, I personally don’t think there is any problem. In the last three one-dayers (before the series opener in Nagpur), Rohit scored 56, 64, and 35 (against Sri Lanka last year), nearly averaging 50-plus. We are talking about a player who has got 31 ODI hundreds. When he keeps scoring runs in back-to-back matches, nobody asks, ‘When will he fail?’”

England are 165-2 after 29 overs in the second ODI.