Mohammed Shami will not play the Test series against South Africa starting on December 26, the BCCI confirmed on Saturday (December 16).

Shami’s participation on the tour was subject to fitness and it has now been confirmed that the quick will not be in action in South Africa for the two-match Test series. Shami has not been given fitness clearance by BCCI’s Medical Team, leaving him with only four Test appearances in 2023.

Shami picked up 14 wickets on India’s tour to South Africa in 2021/22, ending as the side’s highest wicket-taker in the series which India lost 1-2.

Deepak Chahar, who was expected to play his first ODI in over a year in the ODI series that begins on Sunday, December 17, has requested to be withdrawn after a family medical emergency. Uncapped Akash Deep, gets a call-up as Chahar’s replacement. He was sensational in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, getting 10 scalps at an average of 11.60 and a strike rate of 22.8. The Bengal pacer also conceded 3.05 runs an over.

Akash, who has been representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, has picked up 42 wickets in 28 List A games since his debut in 2019.

The BCCI also confirmed that Rahul Dravid, who has agreed to an extension of his tenure as head coach after his role ended after the 2023 World Cup, will oversee the Test series. The support staff will consist of batting coach Vikram Rathour, Paras Mhambrey, the bowling coach, and T Dilip, the fielding coach. The BCCI had confirmed their contract extensions.

However, they will skip the ODI series, which will have Sitanshu Kotak as the interim batting coach, along with Rajib Datta and Ajay Ratra as bowling and fielding coaches. Kotak was earlier the interim head coach for the Ireland-India series this year, which Dravid skipped.

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