Mohammad Shami’s Return to Competitive Cricket in Ranji Trophy
India pacer, Mohammad Shami, who is recovering from an injury is set to make his much-awaited comeback to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy.Cleared by the National Cricket Academy, Shami will represent Bengal in their Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. His return will be closely monitored with India touring Australia.
Mohammad Shami is all set to play in his first competitive game in almost a year on Wednesday, November 13 in the ongoing Ranji Trophy tournament.
Shami Cleared by NCA to Represent Bengal against Madhya Pradesh
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma heaved a huge sigh of relief as vesteran fast bowler Mohammad Shami’s data of return to action was announced on Tuesday. Mohammad Shami is all set to play in his first competitive game in almost a year on Wednesday in the ongoing Ranji Trophy tournament.
However, a delayed fitness certificate from the NCA due to repeated injury concerns prevented his earlier participation.
In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Shami will mark a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday,” said Naresh Ojha, honorary secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal in a statement.
Shami has not featured for India since the World Cup final in Ahmedabad in November 2023 last year after incurring an ankle injury. He later went under the knife in February, earlier this year, and has since been rehabilitating at the NCA in Bengaluru.
Shami was expected to make a return in the New Zealand Test series last month but suffered from a swollen knee, which dampened his chances of making the India Test Squad for the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. The development came just a few weeks after Mohammad Shami claimed that he started bowling at his and that the result are good.
This comeback is significant for both Bengal and India. Bengal will be boosted by Shami’s presence, particularly with pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar currently in Australia with the Indian team, and Ishan porel recovering from injury.
Mohammad Siraj struggling to find a rhythm, Shami could be the perfect aid to Jasprit Bumrah, while Akash Deep can take up the role of a third seamer. The line-up can give India hope of making a difference in the Australia series and scripting a bounce back from the New Zealand low.