Mohammed Shami hasn’t bowled in competitive cricket for over a month but was sighted in the nets at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium recently. The pacer was photographed under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel after India’s first Test defeat to New Zealand. A video doing the rounds on X (formerly Twitter) shows the pacer bowling at full run-up, though his left knee is strapped for support.
Mohammed Shami in action 🔥@MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/qzXHHub4J9
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 20, 2024
Shami last played for India during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, where they lost to Australia in the final. It has been 11 months since his last competitive game.
There were hopes that he would return when India play New Zealand and, in fact, Rohit Sharma had confirmed that Shami had taken a step back from his rehabilitation as there was swelling in his knee, and he will not feature in the squad.
Rohit said, “Honestly speaking, it is tough to make a decision on him for the Australian series. He had a setback and swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He’s at the NCA with doctors and physios.” He further added, “We want to give him enough time to recover and be 100% fit. The physios, the trainers, and the doctors have set a roadmap for him. He is supposed to play a couple of (practice) games before he plays international cricket.”
Shami’s participation in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 remains uncertain. He continues to stay at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation.
Team India is preparing for the second Test against New Zealand, starting from October 24 in Pune and the last Test on November 1 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
