India speedster Mohammed Shami who is currently featuring in domestic cricket to prove his fitness for international cricket will likely to make his comeback for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against England which is scheduled to start from January 22. India will play five T20Is and three ODIs against England before the Champions Trophy 2025.
As per Cricbuzz, the NCA medical team has closely monitored Shami, who underwent surgery on his right heel. While the heel has healed, he experienced minor knee swelling, which ruled him out of consideration for the latter stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The report further added that, Shami is under close observation by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team and at least one NCA physio or trainer accompanying him wherever he goes. The selection committee members will likely attend the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches in Baroda to closely assess Shami's performance. Early indications suggest that his bowling remains unaffected and he is largely trouble-free. While the NCA go-ahead is mandatory for his recall, there is a sense of optimism around him now.
Shami's last international outing was in 2023 during ODI World Cup where he was the highest wicket-taker picking 24 wickets in seven matches. He came into India's playing XI after Hardik Pandya got injured during a World Cup clash against Bangladesh.
Shami who was supposed to make his comeback in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will most likely to feature in the Champions Trophy if he manages to prove his fitness in the white ball series against England.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19 where defending champions Pakistan will take New Zealand in the opener clash and India will play their first match against Bangladesh on February 20.