Shami goes through bowling, fielding drills after Bengaluru Test

Pacer Mohammed Shami underwent bowling and fielding drills at the end of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru on October 20 (Sunday), according to a report on ESPNCricinfo. It is believed that Shami bowled for about an hour as he looks to return to action after sustaining an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since the end of the ODI World Cup last year.

Shami started bowling at 2.30 PM with a heavily strapped left knee and directed the deliveries towards India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar without much discomfort. He eventually called it a day at around 3.50 PM.

Shami also bowled after Day Two of the Test for close to 45 minutes. He last played for India in the ODI World Cup final, a tournament that saw him walk away with 24 wickets at 10.70. 

India would dearly love to have Shami on board for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, starting November 22 in Perth. But the fast bowler suffered another setback after skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that he had developed a swelling on his knee.

"He has not played any cricket for over a year," Rohit had said. 

"It is quite tough for a fast bowler to have missed so much of cricket and then suddenly to 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. We don't want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. That is not going to be the right decision for us."

The 34-year-old did not take part in India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, as he opted to undergo surgery and has been in rehabilitation mode ever since. 

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