Mohammad Shami Set to Return to Competitive Cricket After Nearly a Year, Eyes Fitness for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami is poised to return to competitive cricket after a nearly year-long hiatus, having been named in Bengal’s squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh. The match is set to begin on November 13 in Indore, marking Shami’s first appearance since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad last year.

Shami, who was a key figure in India’s run to the 2023 World Cup final, has not played a domestic game since his injury-enforced break. His last international appearance came in the high-pressure final, where India was defeated by Australia. Since then, the 33-year-old pacer has been recovering from a series of injuries, including an Achilles tendon issue and ankle swelling, which required surgery in March 2024. He has spent several months at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.

The upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture will be a crucial one for Shami, as it offers him the opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in Perth on November 22. Despite being closely monitored in the lead-up to the Test series, Shami was not included in India’s squad for the five-match series. However, the fast bowler had expressed his intention to return to international cricket by featuring in one or two domestic games, hoping to prove his readiness for the challenges of international cricket.

With the Ranji Trophy season split into two phases, Shami has a limited window to prove his fitness, as there is only one round left before white-ball competitions take center stage. If he performs well in the four-day match against Madhya Pradesh, he could be considered for a place in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In addition to the Ranji Trophy, Shami may also feature in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 23, just a day before the IPL mega auction. A successful stint in these domestic formats would bolster his chances of a return to the national fold.

Shami’s journey back to fitness has been a challenging one. After playing through an Achilles tendon injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup, he emerged as India’s top wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 24 wickets in just seven matches at an average of 10.70. However, his recovery was disrupted by a swelling on his left knee, which delayed his return and led to his exclusion from the Bangladesh series in September and the Duleep Trophy.

If Shami’s fitness holds up during the upcoming Ranji match, it is possible that he could be added to India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, joining the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as the primary fast-bowling options. If not, his next opportunity could come in India’s white-ball series against England in January 2025, as the team builds towards the Champions Trophy later that year.

Shami, who played a pivotal role in India’s historic series win in Australia in 2018-19, will be eager to make his mark once again as he looks to reassert himself in the national team following a challenging year on the sidelines.