(Source X)
Mohammed Shami was in exceptional form for India during last year’s ODI World Cup. The right-arm pacer claimed 23 wickets in just seven matches under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, earning the title of the tournament’s top wicket-taker. Since then, however, he has been sidelined with an injury. The 33-year-old fast bowler, who also clinched the Purple Cap in the IPL last year, is uncertain about his return to international cricket. Nonetheless, he has announced plans to play in some domestic games before rejoining the national team.
At a recent event in Kolkata, Shami discussed his recovery, revealing that he had undergone ankle surgery in February and has begun bowling again at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He expressed his intention to make his return to competitive cricket through domestic matches first.
“It’s difficult to say when I will be back. I am trying hard, but hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colours before I don the India jersey again,” he said.
“I will come to play two-three matches for Bengal and will come fully prepared for it,” he added.
In his inaugural press conference as head coach last month, Gautam Gambhir was joined by India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, who suggested that Mohammed Shami might return to action during the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September.
India is set to face Bangladesh in two home Tests before taking on New Zealand in a three-Test series. Following that, they will travel to Australia in November for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Regarding his injury, Shami, who has been inactive for the past eight months, admitted that he hadn’t anticipated the severity of his condition.
“We never thought the injury would be this serious. The plan was to address it after the T20 World Cup since we had the IPL and the ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year’s World Cup. But it turned worse during the ODI World Cup itself, and I also did not find it right to risk playing on with it,” he said.
“Even the doctors could not fathom that the injury would take such a serious turn and would take so much time to heal,” the pacer added.
