(Source Instagram)
Mohammed Shami, the seasoned Indian fast bowler, is on track for a comeback to the Indian National Cricket Team following his recovery from an ankle injury. Recently, Shami has returned to bowling in practice sessions, a development he highlighted by sharing a video on his official social media account on July 16th.
Shami’s absence from competitive cricket dates back to the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India faced a heart-wrenching defeat against Australia in the final held in Ahmedabad. It was during this tournament that Shami sustained his ankle injury. Despite the setback, the right-arm pacer persevered and continued to represent the team throughout the ICC event.
He distinguished himself as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming an impressive 24 wickets in seven matches with an average of 10.70. Notably, he also set a record as the fastest bowler to reach 50 wickets in the history of the tournament. However, since the conclusion of the World Cup, Shami has been sidelined from both international fixtures and IPL engagements.
Mohammed Shami Hints at His Comeback
Mohammed Shami took to Instagram on Tuesday to give fans a glimpse of his net session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Although not yet bowling at full tilt, Shami showcased his progress after recovering from his ankle injury. His return to training serves as an encouraging development for India as they prepare for their forthcoming Test matches.
βVibing with the latest, grinding for the greatest. #shami #mdshami #mdshami11 #hardwork #practice,β Shami captioned his post on the Facebook-owned platform.
In December and January, Mohammed Shami, aged 33, was forced to withdraw from the South Africa series due to severe ankle pain. His absence continued through the five-match home Test series against England, providing opportunities for newcomers like Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep to make their Test debuts.
Earlier this year, Shami underwent Achilles tendon surgery, which also led to his absence from both IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024. With the careful oversight of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the experienced pacer is now targeting a return to action during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh scheduled for September.
Mohammad Shami Is Not Longer Young – Former India Bowling Coach
Paras Mhambrey, former India bowling coach, stressed the importance of the new coaching staff engaging in discussions with Mohammed Shami regarding future plans. Mhambrey recommended that the coaching team evaluate both Shami’s prospective role and his fitness going forward.
“The staff should talk to Shami and find out what he wants to do. Heβs no longer young, so where does he fit in and how many more years does he look to play? How do we use him smartly? Iβm sure whoever comes with Gauti will find out how to get the best of Shami,” Mhambrey said in an interview with The Telegraph.
“If Tests are the focus now, then make sure he is in the best shape for the series in Australia. However, what Shami wants and what his body says is paramount. But yes, some cricket is needed before the Australia tour as he has had a long break,” he added.
