Mohammed Shami likely to return for second half of Australia tour

“I felt great yesterday (Sunday) because I had been bowling off half a run-up on and off since I can’t put too much stress on my body. Yesterday, we decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100 percent. It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon,” Shami said at an event in Gurugram on Tuesday.

“The only thing I want to focus on is how to keep myself fit and get as strong as I can for the (Australia) tour. I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series, so it’s better for me to work on the nuances and spend some more time on the ground before going.”

It is understood that Shami’s workload will be gradually increased now with the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being targeted for his comeback. Having resumed bowling off a full run-up, he will now bowl to batsmen at the nets before he is cleared to play in a competitive fixture. It is understood that there is still some work to be done with regard to his endurance and ability to bowl at least 20-25 overs a day.

The pacer, who took 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup, missed the T20 World Cup, the five-match Test series against England and also sat out of the IPL after having undergone surgery for Achilles tendon in February. (File/PTI)

“If I get fit and get a gap of 8-10 days, it’s better that I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia. I don’t know when I can play next, but the day I feel comfortable about bowling 20-30 overs and get the nod from the doctors, I’ll run to play a match,” the pacer said.

The last mile

According to those in the know, the next 10 days are crucial for Shami to regain competitive fitness. It is understood that in case his recovery goes to plan, he will play Bengal’s fourth round match against Karnataka in Bengaluru. If not, he will be asked to feature in the next round against Madhya Pradesh.

“If he continues his recovery, he can play the match against Karnataka. If he plays that fixture, he can even travel with the Indian team to Australia and play the practice fixture and then slowly integrate back into the squad. Since he suffered a setback on his comeback, he has to go through the rehab process again which is now in the final stages,” sources revealed.

It is understood that the India team management and the selectors have informed Shami that he needs to play at least one, if not two, Ranji fixtures to not just prove his fitness, but also regain his rhythm. Because of his lack of match time, it is understood that the India team management is looking to have him for the second half of the five-Test series.

“There is a considerable break between the first and second Tests so the workload can be managed. But it is thereafter that India have to manage their resources and if Shami is fit for that period, it will be an advantage,” sources said.

Since picking up an ankle injury during last year’s World Cup, Shami underwent surgery and was in line for a comeback during the home season. However, earlier this month, he suffered another setback through a swollen knee, which delayed his return.

Speaking ahead of the Bengaluru Test, captain Rohit Sharma had stated that he didn’t want an undercooked Shami in Australia. “We are keeping our fingers crossed. We want him to be fit; we want him to be 100 percent. More than anything else, we don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. That is not going to be the right decision for us,” Rohit had said.