India fast bowler Mohammed Shami is optimistic about his fitness ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against Australia in November. The 33-year-old, who has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained after the ODI World Cup final last year, expressed confidence that he is now “100% pain-free” and is eager to make a return to competitive cricket.
Shami has been working hard on his rehabilitation since undergoing surgery in February and was recently seen bowling full tilt at the Chinnaswamy Stadium following India’s opening Test against New Zealand. This was the first time Shami had bowled with a full run-up since his recovery, a significant milestone in his comeback process.
“I felt great yesterday,” Shami said during an event organized by Eugenix Hair Sciences in Gurugram. “I had been bowling with a half run-up on and off, but yesterday we decided I would bowl properly and I gave my 100%. It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon.”
The seasoned pacer revealed that his primary focus now is on regaining his match fitness before India’s tour to Australia, which starts with the first Test on November 22. Shami is targeting a few Ranji Trophy appearances to fine-tune his fitness, with his domestic side, Bengal, scheduled to play their next fixture on October 26. However, Shami is unsure if he will be ready in time for that game.
Click Here:- Shami Steps Up Recovery as India Prepare for Australia Tour
“The Australia series is still far away,” he said. “The only thing I want to focus on is how to keep myself fit and how strong I can be before going there. If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to ten days, then it’s better I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia.”
Shami emphasized the importance of not rushing his recovery. He is determined to ensure that he is fully fit before the team heads to Australia. “I don’t want to be undercooked for the Australia tour. I want to spend as much time on the ground as I can before going, and I want to make sure I’m strong and prepared when I get there,” he said.
The experienced fast bowler also reflected on the mental challenges of recovering from injury, acknowledging that patience is key. “Injuries teach you patience,” he said. “It’s very difficult to come back on track after an injury, but patience makes your skill purer. You shouldn’t doubt your skill and talent when you’re away. It’s your fitness you have to fight for.”
Shami, who was instrumental in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, is eager to be part of the pace attack again for the upcoming series. He had claimed 16 wickets in the 2018-19 tour, finishing behind only Jasprit Bumrah in the tally for fast bowlers. Although he was injured during India’s next tour of Australia in 2020-21, his contributions in the previous tour remain significant.
India’s pace attack for the series is expected to feature Shami alongside Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who have both been key performers in recent years. Shami expressed confidence that the trio can instill fear in the opposition, with their pace and variety providing a significant advantage. “We have worked as a unit since 2014. India never had three bowlers at a time who could bowl over 140kph. Now we even have some on the bench who can bowl 145kph,” he said, adding that their aggressive approach has changed the dynamics of India’s fast bowling.
In addition to Shami, India could also consider other pace options, with the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed part of the India A squad that will play two four-day games ahead of the senior team’s tour.
Shami also stressed that, should the conditions in Australia favor pace, India’s attack will be in an advantageous position. “If there’s bounce on some wickets, there’s nothing better for our pace attack. We just need some runs on the board, which our bowlers can defend,” he said.
With just over a month to go until the series opener, Shami’s return to full fitness will be closely watched by the Indian team management, as they prepare for a crucial tour Down Under.
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