The ace India pacer Mohammed Shami has resumed training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, which is a step towards recovery. Originally the leading wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023, Shami has been out of action since the tournament. Injuries have kept the 33-year-old out of a crucial series at home to England, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.
The positive confirmation from none other than BCCI secretary Jay Shah that Shami would make his comeback in the Bangladesh series was good enough for the right-arm pacer to kick off his training regime. In a video posted by Shami, the pacer is seen jogging and then bowling, an indication that he was still not fully fit.
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Mohamed Shami seemed to focus more on his accuracy than anything by getting his line and length right during the training session. He posted a video on his Instagram handle with a caption, “Vibing with the latest, grinding for the greatest” — an indication of his determination to get back to best shape.
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After the World Cup, Shami had some problems with a back heel injury and has undergone surgery, monitored by officials and doctors from BCCI. While Shami was expecting to put off surgery in order to get back to cricket as soon as possible, it was ordained by the medical team that it would not be possible, considering his long-term health and fitness.
Shami’s place in the Test team is beyond doubt, but he would be looking for some momentum going into the crucial five-match Test series against Australia later in the year. It is in white-ball cricket that his position is doubtful. Under Gautam Gambhir now as the head coach, India would perhaps groom young pacers for next year’s T20 WC and the ODI World Cup 2027, which could threaten Shami’s place in the white-ball formats.
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The Indian team has fallen back on pacers like Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep in Test matches whenever Shami was absent. Barring that, the strong bowling partnership that Shami will have in the times to come is with Jasprit Bumrah, while Mohammed Siraj will be the third pacer. His comeback is highly expected by the fans and, quite naturally, by the team, hoping him to come back at his best, feeling fit and leading the bowling attack of India.
