In a significant development for Indian cricket fans, Mohammed Shami, the star pacer who has been sidelined due to injury, has provided an update on his recovery and future plans. The 33-year-old, who was in scintillating form during the ODI World Cup last year, has been out of action since February after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury.
Shami’s Injury Timeline and Surgery
Shami, who also won the Purple Cap in the IPL last year, revealed that he never anticipated the injury to be as serious as it turned out to be. “We never thought the injury would be this serious. The plan was to address it after the T20 World Cup since we had the IPL and the ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year’s World Cup. But it turned worse during the ODI World Cup itself, and I also did not find it right to risk playing on with it,” he said.
The pacer underwent surgery on February 26th, 2024, for his right heel problem. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team and was ruled out of the upcoming IPL 2024 season.
Comeback Plans: Domestic Cricket with Bengal
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return to international cricket, Shami has set his sights on making a comeback through domestic cricket with Bengal. “It’s difficult to say when I will be back. I am trying hard, but hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colours before I don the India jersey again,” he said.
The fast bowler has already started bowling at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is looking to play a few matches for Bengal to regain match fitness. “I will come to play two-three matches for Bengal and will come fully prepared for it,” he added.
Potential Return Timeline
During Gautam Gambhir’s first press conference as head coach, India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, hinted at Shami’s comeback during the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September. This series will be followed by a three-match Test series against New Zealand and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Shami’s absence has been keenly felt by the Indian team, as he was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup with 23 scalps in seven matches. His ability to generate pace and swing has made him a crucial asset for India in all formats.
Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Shami remains determined to make a strong comeback. He acknowledged that the recovery process has been longer than expected, with even the doctors surprised by the severity of the injury and the time it has taken to heal.
“Even the doctors could not fathom that the injury would take such a serious turn and would take so much time to heal,” Shami said.
As Shami continues his rehabilitation and prepares for his domestic comeback, fans eagerly await his return to the international stage. His experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable as India looks to build a strong squad for upcoming challenges, including the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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