Perth: Spearhead of India’s pace attack, Mohammed Shami was ruled out of Saturday’s clash against UAE with a minor knee injury.
Shami who had an ultrasound guided injection on his problematic knee on Thursday and was subsequently ruled out India’s Pool B encounter in a bid to keep the pacer fit for the upcoming games of the ICC Cricket World Cup.
“Mohammed Shami got mild left-knee problem and had ultrasound guided injection yesterday,” India’s media manager, RN Baba said at the pre-match press conference in Perth.
“For his long term management perspective he won’t be available for tomorrow match against UAE.”
With India’s chances of making it to the quarterfinals almost certain, the team management is not take a risking by fielding an injured cricketer for a ‘less important’ group league match.
 “Even if it’s a small injury, there are chances of it getting aggravated. These are still early days in the tournament and one should not rush things,” a senior BCCI official pointed out.
Shami, despite having a forgettable tour of Australia in the preceding Test and ODI series, has been the pick of India’s bowlers in the World Cup.
 He picked up career best figures of 4 for 35 against Pakistan, helping India extend their unbeaten streak against their neighbours in World Cup matches to 6-nil.
Shami now joins medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the injury table.
India have already had Ishant Sharma ruled out of the tournament and have decided to retain a non-squad member Dhawal Kulkarni in Australia.
In Shami’s absence, the team think-tank may consider playing Bhuvneshwar or bringing back seaming all-rounder Stuart Binny for the game in Perth.