Team India speedster Mohammed Shami shared taking inspiration from Rishabh Pant during his prolonged recovery from injury as well. However, Shami has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup with a left Achilles heel injury for which he underwent surgery too as well.
His return was further delayed by swelling in his knees as India continued to play without him. When asked about his recovery from injury on the sidelines of an event in Gurgaon, Shami shared how Pant’s demeanour inspired him.

“I had spent time with Rishabh at the National Cricket Academy, where he was doing the rehab after his injury. I have seen the images, which were so scary. What inspired me the most that I never saw him sad. All his ligaments were broken but he continued his rehab with a laugh on his face. It was a massive learning for me as well. His positive attitude taught me the importance of patience,” he said via Indian Express.

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However, Mohammed Shami wanted not to look too far ahead now with the Australian tour on the cards and instead focus on regaining full fitness by the day as well.

“I know everyone has been thinking about whether I will go to Australia or not but that series is still far away. The only thing I want to focus on is how to keep myself fit and how to get as strong as I can for the tour. I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series, so it’s better for me to work on the nuances and spend some more time on the ground before going. If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to ten days, then it’s better that I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia. I want to spend as much time as I can on the ground before going for the Australia series,” Mohammed Shami concluded.