Shami likely to make his return during New Zealand Test series: Report

Mohammed Shami is unlikely to feature in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the Indian Express reported on August 21 (Wednesday). The Indian team management wants him completely fit for the tour of Australia, starting on November 22. 

It’s being reported that Shami is targetting to play a game or two for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and prove his fitness. If everything goes well, the paceman could feature in the three-match home Test series against New Zealand, which will be played before the Australia tour.

Shami has been out of action with an ankle injury since November last year. His last professional game was the final of the 2023 World Cup against Australia in Ahmedabad. 

Since then, he has undergone ankle surgery and, as a result, has missed all the consequent series, including the T20 World Cup 2024, which was played in the USA and West Indies. The pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru. 

“Since he hasn’t played in a while, he has to be integrated smoothly into the system. With Jasprit Bumrah, we had the T20s in Ireland, which allowed us to increase his workload gradually. But with Shami, we are talking about Test cricket, where he has to bowl long spells. It will be a step-by-step process and Australia tour is the ultimate goal,” sources in the know told the Indian Express.

India will also be rotating their fast bowlers during the next five Tests at home. India are scheduled to play two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand in the space of 47 days. 

Bumrah, who was rested for the entire Sri Lanka tour, could once again be given rest for the Bangladesh series. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj’s workload will also be monitored. 

“We cannot rest everyone at one go because you need experience even in home conditions,” a BCCI official said.

“Like in the case of England series, where India paired a senior pacer with a youngster, a similar approach would be adopted. There is a good crop of fast bowlers at the Duleep Trophy, who have been picked keeping the Australia tour in mind. If they do well, we can use them in home conditions before taking them to Australia.”

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