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Published : Jan 11, 2025 19:16 IST , MUMBAI – 2 MINS READ
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FILE PHOTO: India’s Mohammed Shami in action during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. | Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK/The Hindu
Mohammed Shami is set to return to international cricket after a year when India takes on England in a five-match T20I series later this month.
Though an official announcement is awaited, Sportstar understands that the five members of the selection committee met here on Saturday and decided to include Shami.
He has been out of action in international cricket since November 2023 due to an ankle injury.
Following his return from injury, Shami bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November last year.
Shami also played nine T20 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He took two wickets against Baroda in the quarter-final, where Bengal were knocked out. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has played three matches, picking up five wickets.
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Though he has been playing domestic cricket for a few months now, he was not considered for selection for the just-concluded Test series against Australia.
However, the selectors discussed with the medical team, who expressed their satisfaction with the pacer’s fitness, paving the way for his return to the white-ball squad.
On his comeback trail, Shami has been adhering to a strict diet and has shed several kilograms under the supervision of specialists at the National Cricket Academy.
During the Australia series, as Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj struggled against the Australian batters in Adelaide, former India head coach Ravi Shastri highlighted that Shami’s experience would be invaluable.
“The sooner Mohammed Shami arrives, the better it will be for India. He is playing a lot of domestic matches,” Shastri told the official broadcasters. “Brisbane might be too early, but Shami could certainly be available for Melbourne and Sydney.”
However, on December 23, the Board issued a statement confirming that Shami was still not ready for red-ball cricket. Despite this, he continued playing for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with his fitness being closely monitored by the medical staff and specialists at the NCA.
With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the T20Is against England, Shami’s experience will be crucial for India’s fast-bowling unit, which also includes Arshdeep Singh and Rana.
Sources have confirmed that Shami will be monitored on a regular basis. With him being in fray for a Champions Trophy spot, there is a possibility that the pacer may not feature in all five T20Is against England and is given adequate rest as part of workload management.
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