Mohammad Shami was replaced by uncapped Navdeep Saini in the Test squad after failing to clear the YoYo fitness test at the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru. India will take on Afghanistan in their inaugural Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 14.

Shami’s childhood coach Badruddin Siddque has been surprised by the news as the pacer had standard net sessions in Moradabad before leaving for Bengaluru.

“I am quite taken aback by this news because he trained here in Moradabad with me a couple of days back and he looked fine to me,” said Shami’s coach.

Badruddin felt the recent issues at Shami’s personal life has troubled the pacer.

“He did take time off after Delhi’s IPL campaign ended, but it wasn’t like he was losing shape of anything. He had been playing non-stop and then the issues at home was also troubling him, so we felt that cutting off from everything for a while would help him come back stronger. He bowled full throttle at the nets and even worked on his batting.”

Shami was a part of the team during India's last Test series against South Africa. In three matches, he bagged 15 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings of the third Test which India had won by 63 runs.

The 27-year-old played only four matches in the IPL this year after returning from South Africa. Lack of form was the reason behind his limited appearances and he certainly had no fitness issues during the tournament.

The pacer will now look forward to getting back into the team before India’s tour of England. Shami had recently expressed his desire to improve his bowling performance ahead of the series in England.