India veteran speedster Mohammed Shami who is currently on the road to recovery from an ankle injury. He last featured in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. To make his international comeback, Shami will feature in domestic cricket for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
As per PTI, Shami will have to make a comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and a potential international appearance later in one of the Test matches against New Zealand. It is understood that Shami will play either one or both of Bengal's opening away Ranji match against UP on October 11 and the next one in Kolkata against Bihar on October 18.
The report further said that, Since there will be only a two-day gap between both the games it is unlikely that he will play both.
This means Shami will not feature in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The speedster will have to wait more for an international comeback.
The New Zealand Test series starts from October 19 in Bengaluru followed by Tests in Pune (October 24) and Mumbai (Nov 1). Shami is expected to play one of those games before embarking on the big tour to Australia.
Shami underwent an ankle surgery in the United Kingdom in February this year and was in any case ruled out for a minimum period of six months.
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While there are Instagram videos of Shami starting off with his RTP routines (Return To Play) at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, bowling with low-intensity shortened run-up, there were reports that he could be available for the Duleep Trophy.
However, it has been learnt that there was no chance of him getting fit during the Duleep Trophy and the selectors don't want to take any chances by rushing him earlier than required.
The priority is to have India's top three pacers -- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj -- fit for the five Tests in Australia. Shami has so far taken 229 wickets from 64 Tests with six five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls.
With PTI Inputs
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