Massive boost for India as Mohammed Shami set to return to competitive cricket in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Mohammed Shami has been out of competitive action for nearly a year.

After a challenging year marked by injuries, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami is all set to make a return to competitive cricket.

Mohammed Shami, who last represented India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, has been on the sidelines due to an ankle injury and underwent surgery on his right foot in March this year. The premium Indian fast bowler has spent the majority of his recovery time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, undergoing rehabilitation for his Achilles tendon injury.

Playing his last competitive tournament before the injury, Shami was India’s standout performer in the ODI World Cup, claiming 24 wickets in seven games at an excellent bowling average of 10.7.

Shami suffered an injury relapse in September earlier this year sustaining a swelling on his left knee, that ruled him out of Duleep Trophy and India’s home test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback set for Bengal’s Ranji Trophy fixture

Now, Shami has been named in Bengal’s squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh. The match is scheduled to be played from 13 November in Indore. The upcoming game will mark Shami’s first appearance on the field after almost a year.

Though Shami has not been included in India’s squad for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting on November 22 in Perth, there remains a possibility that the star Indian fast bowler will be included in the squad if he demonstrates his fitness in the four-day Ranji Trophy game.

The Indian pace attack already consists of some of the best bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana, but adding an experienced bowler like Shami could further strengthen the lineup against Australia’s strong batting order.

Earlier, Shami expressed his desire to play one or two Ranji games to regain form before a potential call-up, but the schedule limits him with a single game against Madhya Pradesh to prove his readiness.

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