Mohammed Shami’s Hopes Alive For A Spot In BGT Squad

October 20, 2024: Star India pacer Mohammed Shami is eager to make his comeback in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) after bowling for over an hour at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

This practice session took place following India’s disappointing eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first Test. Shami participated in fielding drills and displayed impressive bowling form as he continues to recover from an ankle injury that has kept him off the field since November.

Shami’s practice session began around 2:30 PM and concluded at 3:50 PM on Sunday, where he was closely monitored by India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and bowling coach Morne Morkel. The 34-year-old pacer has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup 2023 due to his ankle injury.

Before the first Test against New Zealand, captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the team’s cautious approach regarding Shami’s fitness. He noted the swelling in Shami’s knees had hampered his recovery, which made it crucial for him to be fully fit before rejoining the squad.

Rohit stated, “To be honest, it is difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series. He had a setback with swelling in his knees, which delayed his recovery. He is currently at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed.”

The captain underscored the importance of Shami achieving full fitness before returning to international cricket, explaining, “He was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100 percent, but had swelling in his knee that set him back a little bit. So, he had to start again.”

Rohit reiterated the team management’s priority for Shami to be in optimal condition, saying, “We want him to be 100 percent fit. Bringing an undercooked Shami to Australia would not be the right decision for us. It is quite tough for a fast bowler, having missed so much cricket, and then suddenly to come out and be at his best; it is not ideal.”

As Shami continues to work on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), fans and the team will be hoping for his swift return to full fitness, making him a vital asset for India in the upcoming BGT against Australia.