🏏🦵 India's premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been racing against time to regain full fitness ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. After being sidelined due to ankle surgery post the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami encountered a setback with unexpected swelling in his knee during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru
. This knee injury has delayed his recovery, raising questions about his availability for the early stages of the tour.
Injury Details and Current Status
While initial signs from the NCA were promising, Shami’s knee injury has complicated his path to recovery. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, addressing the media, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Sharma emphasized that Shami will only be included in the Australia series if fully fit, stating, "We don't want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia; that won’t be the right decision"
.The team management and medical staff have laid out a roadmap for Shami, involving a few domestic matches before resuming international duties.
Shami’s rehabilitation process will be monitored closely following the New Zealand series, which will help the selectors decide on his involvement in the second half of the Australia series. A lot depends on how Shami performs in upcoming domestic matches, should his recovery progress well
Impact on the Indian Team
Shami's absence could affect the Indian bowling attack, which heavily relies on the pace trio of Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. With the five-match Test series against Australia starting in November, India will need a strong bowling unit to maintain their winning streak in Australia
. Shami’s availability is crucial, especially for later matches where pitch conditions are expected to favor fast bowlers.
In his absence, Akash Deep has been identified as a potential backup to support Bumrah and Siraj
. This tour presents an opportunity for the team to groom new talent and maintain depth in the fast-bowling department.
Possible Return Scenarios
Rohit Sharma emphasized the need to give Shami adequate recovery time to avoid further complications. If the knee swelling subsides and Shami performs well in domestic games, he could join the squad for the latter half of the Australia series
Shami himself addressed rumors about his injury, requesting fans not to believe unverified reports. He reassured everyone through a social media post that both he and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are working diligently towards his recovery
Conclusion
While the uncertainty surrounding Shami's availability is a concern for the Indian team, the management is cautiously optimistic about his return for the second half of the Australia tour. His return would provide a significant boost to India’s chances, especially as they look to continue their winning streak Down Under. Until then, the focus remains on getting Shami to full fitness without rushing his comeback, ensuring the bowler is 100% ready for the rigors of Test cricket.
