As the Indian team anxiously awaits updates on Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury, Mohammed Shami has stirred hope with a video showcasing him bowling in the nets. Declaring himself fit to “take on the world,” Shami has been actively representing Bengal in domestic cricket since his return to competitive action in November last year.
Despite proving his match fitness, the 34-year-old was overlooked for the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3. Shami’s last appearance for India was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final before an ankle injury sidelined him for nearly a year.
Meanwhile, Bumrah’s injury became a critical concern during the fifth and final Test against Australia. The pacer suffered back spasms and was taken for scans midway through the game, ruling him out of bowling in the second innings. Australia capitalized, winning by six wickets to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.
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Reports suggest that Bumrah will undergo further assessment upon his return to India, with recovery plans dependent on the injury’s severity. His fitness will be crucial as India gears up to host England for a five-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs, before heading to Dubai for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Precision, Pace, and Passion, All Set to Take on the World! 🌍💪 #Shami #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/gIEfJidChX
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) January 7, 2025
Mohammed Shami’s journey back from injury has been challenging. After undergoing ankle surgery in February last year, he returned to action through the Ranji Trophy in November. Despite participating in domestic cricket, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru withheld his fitness clearance. Reports indicated that swelling in his knee delayed his comeback further. Before the Boxing Day Test against Australia, the BCCI officially ruled Shami out of the series’ remaining matches.
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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, however, believes Shami’s presence could have bolstered the team. “I would have kept him part of the team and ensured his rehabilitation was done with the team,” Shastri shared on the ICC Review. “If by the third Test we felt he couldn’t continue, we could have let him go. But his experience and presence would have been invaluable.”
Shami’s declaration of fitness now reignites hope as India seeks to rebuild after the series loss and manage Bumrah’s recovery carefully.
