“Finally, the date for Mohammed Shami’s return is out!
Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma can breathe easy now, yaar, as they gear up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It’s a big relief, really, as everyone was hoping to see Shami back in action soon, and now the team looks more solid with him coming back
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is all set to step back on the field after nearly a year, as he’ll be making his much-awaited comeback in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. It’s a big relief for India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma, as Shami is expected to bring much-needed firepower to the Indian pace attack.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) announced on Tuesday that Shami will return to action for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, starting Wednesday. There’s a buzz in the air, as Shami’s presence brings a lot of excitement for Indian fans, who’ve been eagerly waiting to see him in action.
According to a report in Sportstar, Shami hasn’t yet reached Indore, but the Bengal team’s coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, confirmed that he’ll arrive later on Tuesday. Shami’s received the green signal from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, meaning he’s match-fit and ready to roll.
Shami’s Return – A Much-Needed Boost for Team India
Shami’s been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup final in November last year due to an ankle injury. The injury was serious enough that he had to undergo surgery in February, and since then, he’s been working hard on his recovery at the NCA. Although there were hopes of him making a comeback during the New Zealand Test series last month, a swollen knee set him back once again, ruling him out of the Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia.
Just when fans thought he might join Bengal for their Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, Shami had to sit out again, this time due to a side strain. But now, the tide seems to be turning in Shami’s favor, and his return has sparked new hope among the Indian camp, who are already in Australia preparing for the series opener in Perth on November 22.
If Shami performs well in this Ranji game and shows he’s fully match-ready, there’s a high chance he could be flown to Australia soon to strengthen the Indian bowling line-up. His inclusion would be a big boost for India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final, especially after a tough home series against New Zealand, which ended in a disappointing whitewash.
With Mohammed Siraj struggling to get his rhythm, Shami could be the ideal partner to support Jasprit Bumrah. And with Akash Deep as the third seamer, India’s bowling attack could get the edge it needs to bounce back in the Australia series.
Indian fans are keeping their fingers crossed for Shami’s successful return, hoping that he’ll bring in his signature pace and accuracy and help India put up a strong fight in Australia.
For Gambhir and Rohit, under pressure after the home series whitewash, Shami’s return couldn’t have come at a better time.
