BCCI Updates Mohammed Shami’s Recovery Post-Heel Surgery

December 23, 2024: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a detailed update on Mohammed Shami’s recovery and rehabilitation following his right heel surgery. The BCCI’s Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence confirmed that Shami has made a full recovery from the heel injury and has been actively participating in domestic cricket to build up his match fitness.

According to the advisory, Shami demonstrated his recovery by bowling 43 overs for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in November. Following that, he played in all nine matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he not only participated in the tournament but also engaged in additional bowling sessions to prepare for the rigours of Test cricket.

Despite the successful recovery from the heel surgery, the BCCI noted a minor setback with Shami’s left knee. The advisory explained that Shami had experienced minor swelling in his knee due to increased joint loading from his elevated bowling workload. This swelling is considered a normal response to the increased physical activity after a period of rehabilitation and rest. However, it still requires careful management.

The BCCI’s medical team assessed that Shami’s knee needs more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. As a result, Shami has not been declared fit for selection for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which means he will miss out on playing in the ongoing series.

In the meantime, Shami will continue with targeted strength and conditioning work at the Centre of Excellence, under the supervision of the BCCI medical staff, to gradually increase his bowling capacity and prepare for future Test match demands. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee and how well it responds to the rehabilitation plan.

The BCCI statement concluded with a note from Devajit Saikia, Honorary Joint Secretary of the BCCI, who reiterated that Shami’s fitness will be closely monitored and that his gradual return to competitive cricket would depend on the medical team’s ongoing assessment of his knee. “Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and will build his bowling loads required to meet the demands of the longest format of the game,” Saikia said.

As of now, Shami’s recovery is progressing, and the BCCI will continue to manage his workload to ensure he is fully fit for future cricketing commitments.