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The pace bowling mainstay Mohammed Shami made a remarkable recovery from injury by taking four wickets in a Ranji Trophy match, giving the Indian team a boost during the difficult Australia tour.
The pace bowling mainstay Mohammed Shami made a remarkable recovery from injury by taking four wickets in a Ranji Trophy match on Thursday, giving the struggling Indian team a boost during the difficult Australia tour. In Madhya Pradesh’s opening innings, Shami, who plays for Bengal, bowled four spells in 57 overs and returned with figures of 19-4-54-4 in his first red-ball match in over a year.
All-rounder Saransh Jain, MP captain Shubham Sharma, and two tail-enders were among his victims; three of the four batters were bowled, and one edged to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. Although the Indian team is thrilled about this development, it is understood that the national selection committee will also consider how his body performs in the second innings and whether he experiences any pain or swelling at the conclusion of the match, which is being played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
He will almost certainly team up with pace leader Jasprit Bumrah prior to the second Test, which will take place day and night, if he checks all the boxes.
He could join the team prior to the first Test, which starts in Perth on November 22, but that might be asking for too much. The Ranji Trophy match concludes on November 16.
Shami will have the opportunity to practice against the Prime Minister’s XI for two days, day and night, if he goes.
The BCCI’s Sports Science & Medical Team, the national selection committee, and the team management are more interested in seeing how his body holds up than in the number of wickets he took on Thursday.
Shami had ankle surgery and has not participated in a competitive match since the ODI World Cup final on November 19 of last year. The senior fast bowler’s comeback was delayed when he experienced knee swelling just before the start of the three-test series against New Zealand.
The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, and the team’s management are expected to add Shami as soon as Dr. Nitin Patel, the BCCI’s head of the Medical and Sports Science team, believes he is ready,even though Australia has an 18-man roster.
According to a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) source who spoke to PTI, Ajay Ratra, a member of the national selection committee, had come especially to watch the Shami Bowl with Patel, the head of the NCA medical team. Before a final decision is made, their input will be forwarded to head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
According to a BCCI source, Shami was asked to play this match because the Ranji Trophy’s next round will not begin until January 23, following the conclusion of the Test season.
“So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second inning). He will undoubtedly join prior to the second test if the NCA medical team certifies his fitness,” the BCCI source continued.
However, the most crucial test would be to see if, after four days, he still feels any pain. He will undoubtedly join prior to the second test if the NCA medical team certifies his fitness,” the BCCI source continued.