Team India has received a severe dent before the first one-dayer against Sri Lanka as speedster Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the first three ODIs because of an injury niggle.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a statement confirmed that the Bengal pacer will take no part in the initial phase of the series and will be replaced by medium-pacer Dhawal Kulkarni.
“Md. Shami has been ruled out of the Micromax Cup India vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2014, due to injury,” the BCCI statement reads. “The All – India Senior Selection Committee has named Dhawal Kulkarni as Shami’s replacement in the Indian team for the first 3 ODIs of the upcoming series.”
The absence of Shami is a big jolt for Team India as he is the leading wicket-taker for the men in blue in recent season. He has taken 38 wickets for the Indian team and was also scalped 10 wickets against West Indies.
