Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami took another significant step toward his comeback after a prolonged injury layoff, bowling for over an hour on one of the main pitches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium following the conclusion of the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday.
Shami, who has been sidelined since November 2023 due to an ankle injury, was seen bowling with heavy strapping on his left knee but at full intensity, indicating a promising recovery. The 34-year-old bowled almost continuously, only taking a brief break for fielding drills during the session, which was closely monitored by India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, and assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar.
A Positive Sign Ahead of Australia Tour
Shami began his practice session around 2.30 PM, starting with a few warm-up deliveries before settling into his full run-up. He bowled for nearly 80 minutes, indicating his determination to regain match fitness ahead of India’s highly anticipated five-Test tour of Australia, which is set to begin in November.
The bowler’s return to action is a critical component of India’s preparations for the challenging series Down Under, where fast bowling will play a key role. Shami’s last appearance on the field was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he took an impressive 24 wickets in just seven matches, despite playing with an ankle injury that has since kept him out of action.
Injury Setbacks and Surgery
The veteran pacer underwent surgery in London in February this year to address the issue but has not been able to recover in time to participate in India’s domestic season or the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Shami’s absence has raised concerns over his readiness for the Australia tour, with India captain Rohit Sharma acknowledging the challenges in returning to top form after such a long break.
“He has not played any cricket for over a year,” Rohit said earlier this week. “It is quite tough for a fast bowler to have missed so much of cricket and then suddenly come out and be at his best. It is not ideal. We will want to give him enough time to recover and be 100% fit.”
Rohit also emphasized that the team does not want to rush Shami back into action, especially given the risk of further injury. “We don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia,” he added. “That is not going to be the right decision for us.”
Focused on Full Fitness
Shami’s extended bowling sessions, including a 45-minute stint on one of the practice pitches after day two of the New Zealand Test, are a clear indication that the fast bowler is pushing hard to regain match readiness. His commitment to his fitness program has been commendable, but it remains to be seen if he can reach peak condition in time for India’s tour of Australia.
With the team gearing up for one of the most challenging cricketing tours, Shami’s fitness remains a crucial factor for India’s pace attack, and the team management will be closely monitoring his progress in the coming weeks.
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