Mohammed Shami Eyes International Comeback After Injury Layoff

India’s celebrated fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined due to an ankle injury since the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, is on the verge of making a much-anticipated return to international cricket. 

Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, capturing the spotlight with a remarkable seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semi-final, the best performance by an Indian pacer in World Cup history. After enduring over nine months of a challenging recuperation process, the 33-year-old is poised for a potential comeback as early as September.

Shami’s injury and subsequent absence from the cricket field have been a significant setback for the Indian team, which relies heavily on his experience and skill in critical matches. According to ESPNcricinfo, Shami has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that he is in the final stages of his recovery, showing promising signs of returning to full fitness. 

Ajit Agarkar, the chief of the All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee, confirmed Shami’s progress, stating, “Shami has started to bowl which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test, and that was always the goal. I don’t know if that is his timeline for recovery; we will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that.”

Before donning the Indian jersey again, Shami might have to prove his match fitness by participating in the Duleep Trophy, a domestic first-class competition. This step is crucial to demonstrate that he has fully recovered and is ready for the rigors of international cricket. Should he successfully pass this fitness test, Shami could be included in India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh in September.

“There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while; these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first-class cricket coming up so we can build guys up like that,” Agarkar added.

Shami has expressed his eagerness to play first-class cricket for Bengal, his home team, as a stepping stone to his international return. However, if he makes a comeback for the Bangladesh series, it might preclude his participation in the Ranji Trophy due to a hectic international calendar that includes Tests against New Zealand at home and a high-profile tour to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The prospect of Shami’s return is encouraging for the Indian cricket team, which is gearing up for a demanding season across all formats. With key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj forming the core of India’s pace battery, Shami’s experience and skill will be invaluable as the team faces formidable challenges ahead.