After 427 days, Mohammed Shami rejoined the India squad in Kolkata. In between a lot changed. India had a new head coach and new support staff apart from a new captain in T20Is. But all of that doesn’t matter. He is in good hands with the new bowling coach, Morne Morkel, who gave him a warm embrace understanding what it took for Shami to return to the fold again after a long injury layoff following the surgery on his right heel. But now, he has five T20Is in the IND vs ENG series to prove he is match-fit for ODIs. If everything goes well, Shami will continue and stretch it to the ODIs before the all-important ICC Champions Trophy. In all, he has 8 matches left to prove he is alright.
With Jasprit Bumrah still uncertain about the Champions Trophy, Mohammed Shami will play a crucial role, only if he passes the T20I series with flying colours. But don’t expect that to happen.
Is Mohammed Shami fit enough?
Since his return from injury, Shami has bowled 105.2 overs across all three formats. Shami bowled 43.3 overs in the Bengal vs MP Ranji match. He followed that up with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he bowled 35.5 overs. However, the sudden increase in workload did not help him. He developed swelling on his left knee and returned to the National Cricket Academy for a month.
He returned to competitive cricket again, playing three matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. And that was a good sign. The five IND vs ENG T20I will help him ease in a bit before the ICC Champions Trophy.
“I have waited 1 year for this. Worked hard for a year. I used to be afraid while running, thinking about what could happen. It is very difficult for any player to get injured and come to the NCA for rehab. When you go through injuries, you return stronger as a person. You have to repeat things and remain mentally strong. If you work hard, you will get the results,” Shami said ahead of IND vs ENG T20Is.
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Shami since return from injury
| Tournament | Ovs | Wkts | Avg | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranji Trophy | 43.3 | 7 | 22.28 | 4/54 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 26 | 5 | 25.8 | 3/61 |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | 35.5 | 11 | 25.36 | 3/21 |
| Overall | 105.2 | 23 |
During India’s practice session at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shami went full tilt on Day 1 with his left knee heavily strapped. The following day, Shami missed the practice as a precautionary measure. He was only involved in light exercise. On Day 3, he returned to bowling duties at the nets.
That is not out of the ordinary though. Any player who returns from a long injury layoff needs to increase their workload gradually. With Jasprit Bumrah still doubtful for Champions Trophy, Mohammed Shami will play a key role. The BCCI and the India Cricket Team can’t afford to miss Shami if Bumrah is ruled out. Hence, the board has been extra careful with Shami.
“Returning from a long injury is never easy. They need an incremental change in workload. The NCA is following the same process with Shami. The knee injury was a setback. But there is no concern with his heel injury. What he needs is time to make a slow return. The T20 series will help him ease back into the team,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana backup
While many were surprised to see selectors drop Mohammed Siraj from the IND vs ENG ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy squad, he may still get in. But that depends on how Mohd Shami holds up and how Bumrah recovers. Siraj will be called up if Shami has any hiccups in his comeback bid. Similarly, if Bumrah fails to recover in time for the CT 2025, Siraj will be called in.
Even though Gautam Gambhir and the team management are keen to give Harshit Rana a chance, Siraj will be the likely option thanks to his experience. BCCI has till Feb 12 to change the squad. And the five T20Is and the first two ODIs against England will give them a clear picture. For now, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed for Shami and Bumrah.
As for Shami, he is almost ready for a gruelling season. But it will all depend on how his body copes with the workload in the next five T20Is and three ODIs.
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