New Delhi: In a major boost for Indian cricket, star pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after a hiatus of nearly a year due to an injury. Shami will return to action in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore from Wednesday, a statement of the Cricket Association of Bengal said.
Shami has been sidelined since last year’s ODI World Cup final between India and Australia on November 19 due to an ankle injury. After the subsequent surgery, Shami underwent intense rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in several phases.
Shami recently was seen bowling in full tilt at nets under the watchful eye of India bowling coach Morne Morkel at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after India’s first Test against New Zealand last month.
After a long injury lay-off, Shami will aim to prove his fitness in a real match situation as he starts his journey towards returning to the national fold.
CAB secretary Naresh Ojha, who confirmed the development through an official statement, Shami will lead the Bengal pace bowling attack. Shami’s outing will be closely monitored by the Indian team management, who might be tempted to pick the veteran in the middle of the series if he proves his fitness and form.
An untested pace attack in Australia
India have gone to Australia with an untested pace attack with rookies like Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna picked in the squad to support the seniors – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
The three reserves – Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed – also come Down Under with little to no exposure in Test cricket.
Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma denied speculations of Shami’s inclusion in the Indian squad for Tour Down Under by terming him an “undercooked” fast bowler.
Shami was instrumental in India’s historic 2-1 Test series victory in 2018-19 against Australia, bagging as many as 16 wickets at an average of 26.18.
Shami’s last outing for national colours was during the ODI World Cup last year when he finished as the top wicket-taker in the ICC marquee event with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70.
Following the loss in the final to Australia, he was sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury on his right leg, for which the pacer went under the knife in March.
Mohammed Shami, who has been out injured since playing the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia last November, is all set to return to competitive cricket. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
