Shami Poised for Comeback after Injury Layoff, Set to Play Ranji Trophy.
After nearly a year on the sidelines, veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his highly anticipated return to competitive cricket.
The 34-year-old fast bowler, who last featured in the ICC World Cup at home in 2023, has been named in the Bengal squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Indore.
Shami’s return to action comes after a lengthy rehabilitation period following surgery to repair a damaged Achilles tendon, which he underwent in February. The right-arm bowler’s recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru appeared to be on track, with Shami even participating in net sessions under the guidance of India bowling coach Morne Morkel.
The team management and selectors were unwilling to risk an “uncooked” version of the seasoned pacer for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Despite the setback, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has now included Shami in the Bengal squad for their Ranji Trophy fixture against Madhya Pradesh. This move is seen as a crucial step in Shami’s bid to prove his fitness and potentially earn a recall to the Indian team for the Australia tour.
Shami’s last competitive outing came during the ICC World Cup in 2023, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker despite missing the first four matches. His ability to swing the ball and extract pace from the surface has made him a vital cog in India’s pace attack, particularly in overseas conditions.
During the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami played a pivotal role in India’s historic maiden Test series win on Australian soil. However, his 2020-21 tour Down Under was cut short after he suffered a wrist injury in the opening Test in Adelaide, where India were bowled out for a paltry 36.
The Indian team management and selectors will be keenly observing Shami’s performance in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match.
Should he successfully demonstrate his fitness and form, he could potentially earn a recall to the Indian squad, potentially reuniting with Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the pace attack, with Mohammed Siraj likely to take up the role of the first-change bowler.
The return of Shami, a proven match-winner, could provide a significant boost to India’s hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and continuing their dominance in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
