Mohammed Shami made a triumphant return to cricket after nearly a year-long hiatus due to an Achilles injury that required surgery. Representing Bengal in their ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, the seasoned pacer showed glimpses of his old self. Shami delivered a stellar performance, bowling 19 overs across four spells, and finished with impressive figures of 4/54.

His return not only boosts Bengal’s campaign but also offers a glimmer of hope for India’s Test team ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed optimism about Shami’s comeback, emphasizing his importance to India’s pace attack.

ALSO READ: KL Rahul Discusses Mindset, IPL Goals, And T20I Comeback Aspirations

“The quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, the better it is for India,” Ravi Shastri commented on the ICC Review show. With Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace unit, Shami’s return would provide the necessary depth and experience, especially for the challenging Australian conditions.

The selection committee is monitoring Shami’s recovery closely, particularly how his body responds after the match. If he clears all fitness benchmarks, he is expected to join the squad for the second Test of the series, which will be a day-night game in Adelaide. However, the selectors may consider his availability for a two-day practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI as part of his reintegration into the team.

WATCH – Anshul Kamboj’s Historic 10-Wicket Haul: A Record-Breaking Feat In Ranji Trophy

India faces a daunting task in Australia, needing to win at least four of the five Tests to strengthen their chances of making the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time. With 229 wickets in 64 Tests, Shami remains a pivotal figure in India’s pace arsenal. His ability to deliver breakthroughs in both home and overseas conditions will be vital as the team aims for a historic series win Down Under.