Boost for Team India as Mohammed Shami expected to be fit for home Bangladesh Tests

Ace India seamer Mohammed Shami is closing in on full fitness, with the latest report suggesting he might return to playing competitive cricket during the home season that begins with the Bangladesh Tests on September 19 in Chennai. Shami is currently completing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is progressing well, reported ESPNcricinfo citing sources close to the information.

The right-arm seamer suffered an ankle injury while playing the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. Although that looked far from serious even after the tournament's completion, with the selectors naming him in the Test squad for the South Africa tour later, Shami pulled his name out as he underwent surgery on his troubled ankle.

That, however, ruled him out of the on-field cricket indefinitely. Shami returned home in March and continued to get treated at the NCA since. Meanwhile, before flying to the Island Nation for the recently concluded tour, the BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar provided the latest update on Shami, saying he has resumed bowling and is taking baby steps to return to his rhythm and match fitness.

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"We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment, and hope they will be back up," Agarkar said during the pre-tour presser.

"Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test, and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that.

"There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first-class cricket coming up, so we can build guys up like that,” he continued.

To begin with domestic cricket

Per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the selectors and team management are keeping a keen eye on Shami's fitness and daily improvement chart, with a decision on whether he should play at least one of the Duleep Trophy matches, beginning on September 5 in Anantapur, yet to be taken.

However, Shami was keen on playing for Bengal in domestic cricket before making his much-anticipated return to international cricket.

Although even if Shami misses the home season, including two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand, which ends on October 5, the seamer would have ample time to preparehimself for the mega tour Down Under, beginning in November.

(With inputs from agencies)