July 24, 2024 – Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami is set to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team as is seen from his activity on Instagram. A fast bowler, the player has suffered an ankle injury, but recently there was a strengthening sign that he may be able to return.
His Instagram story comprised of the video in which Shami was sweating out in the gym and the nets too. Even though he did not have the intensity to sprint all out, his run-ups prove that he is on the brink of match fitness.
On Tuesday night, Shami posted photos from his training session, captioned with determination: The SELF and desire to come back into active cricket was summed up by him in this quote “Ball in hand, obsession in my heart, ready to turn the game”.
Shami could return when the home Test series is against Bangladesh likely from September 19. But, he needs to prove his fitness for the Duleep Trophy beginning September 4 before he can cleared to play. The four-team tournament involving squads chosen by the national selectors will be very important for Shami in as much as he will be trying to prove his fitness.
The last competitive cricket he played was in November this year during the India-Australia 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad where India lost the match. But despite defeat, one has to mention Shami’s splendid bowling. He took a total of 24 wickets in seven games including an average of 10. 70 and an economy rate of 5. 26. His best performances included 4 wickets in an innings besides 3 five wickets in an innings and a best bowling figure of 7 wickets/57 balls in the third place play-off against New Zealand.
It was also revealed that Shami was in pain as he performed heroics in the World Cup. After the tournament, he did not play the South Africa tour and the three T20I matches against Afghanistan. In February, Shami had an Achilles tendon operation, and he was ruled out for the IPL with Gujarat Titans and the ICC T20 World Cup staged in the West Indies and USA, India beat South Africa in the final.
Shami is deemed one of the sensational frontline fast bowlers in the contemporary cricket fraternity with 448 international wickets across 188 games, and eleven instances of five-wicket innings. Fans have high expectations of his return because he has shown he can fortify the Indian pace bowling.
Gradually, Shami is approaching the form closer to fitness and cricket spectators all around the world want to see this master with the ball again.
Report By: Sonali Sarkar