Indian quick, Mohammed Shami, has almost recovered from the ankle injury he picked during the ODI World Cup in India last year. Since then, he has been out of the team, ensuring his rehabilitation goes smoothly before returning to the team. Some reports state that the pacer struggled with this injury throughout the World Cup which made it worse, hence the time it took him to recover. Shami, however, does not want to take any more risks. Speaking at the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) annual awards ceremony, the right-arm fast bowler said that he wants to be fully recovered before he joins the national team again.
“I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time. However, I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I’ve to work on my fitness so that there is no discomfort.”
“The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don’t want to rush and risk getting injured again, be it against Bangladesh, New Zealand or the Australia series. I’ve already started bowling, but I won’t take any chances until I am 100% fit.”
The 34-year-old has started bowling recently at full tilt and to fans’ pleasure, was included in Bengal’s probables list for the upcoming domestic season. He is expected to bowl in at least one of his domestic team’s away games in the Ranji Trophy as well, which will further prepare him for the challenge that lies ahead for him.
“If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will. What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format.”
To get him back into his groove, the Indian management might have the veteran pacer play one of the home Test games against New Zealand. After New Zealand’s Test tour of India ends, the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see the men in blue flying down under for their final Test series in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Keeping in mind the bouncy tracks that Australia has on offer, India would not want to have Shami warm the benches. The Indian pacer is already very pumped up for the BGT and his potential comeback. With an incredible amount of confidence, he said that India are the favorite to bag the trophy this year.
“We are the favorites, they (Australia) should be worried,” Shami said during the Award ceremony.
Mohammed Shami was at his trademark best during the ODI World Cup last year. Having missed the first four matches of the mega-event to make place for Shardul Thakur, Shami flabbergasted the world when he was eventually called back into the team. He ended the World Cup as the highest wicket-getter, with his best spell of 7 for 57 coming against New Zealand in the semi-final.
India are currently at the top of the WTC table. Having made it to both of the previous two WTC finals, they will hope to push their limits to win the whole thing. With the sort of form Indian players are currently in, it seems very much possible.
