India's premium fast bowler Mohammed Shami is eager to play two games in the Ranji Trophy before heading to Australia for the five-match Test series, according to Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Ahead of the crucial five-match Test series against Australia, Mohammed Shami has not yet fully recovered his match fitness. Although he has not played in the two games thus far, the speedster was anticipated to play for Bengal in the current Ranji Trophy 2024–25.
Shukla on Shami
Shukla recently provided an update on Shami's availability, stating that he would also be missing their third match against Kerala. He did, however, disclose that the pacer is probably going to play in their fourth and fifth games against Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Shami is currently running out of time to be ready for the first Test match against Australia, which is scheduled to start on November 22.
“He is not available for this match (vs Kerala), but we are hopeful that Shami will join us for games against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh,” Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla told The Indian Express.
Speaking further Shukla emphasized Shami's value to India in Australia and stated that he will benefit from playing a few Ranji games before of the series.
"He is a valuable player for India and the team will require his service for the Australia series. Recently, he mentioned how keen he is about playing a couple of Ranji games for Bengal before travelling to Australia. Good outings in the Ranji Trophy will be good for him ahead of the Australia tour and will be a big boost for us our four key players are playing for India and India A," said Shukla.
After having heel surgery in February, Shami recently talked about his recovery and expressed his satisfaction with his current state of health. After India's first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he was also spotted bowling at assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, and he declared that he is now 100% pain-free. Additionally, he just posted a video of himself bowling at Bengaluru's National Cricket Academy (NCA). Since Mohammed Siraj has been struggling in the current home season and Akash Deep is embarking on his first tour to Australia, India will be in dire need of Shami's skills.
