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On a break from international and domestic cricket, Mohammad Shami seemed to be utilizing his time to hone his batting skills.
Mohammad Shami (Picture Credit: PTI)
India pacer Mohammad Shami showcased his batting skills during a practice session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, elating fans on social media with a display of powerful hitting.
Shami was recently rested for Bengal’s Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Delhi but is expected to feature in the upcoming fixtures. The 34-year-old star pacer utilized the break well, honing his batting skills in the nets and his aggressive shots — without wearing a helmet and pads — grabbed a ton of attention.
He shared a glimpse of his highlights on Instagram and wrote, “Batting practice with same dedication and passion! Sharpening my game at NCA, one ball at a time.”
The 2023 ODI World Cup was the last time Shami played in an Indian shirt. He remained on the sidelines following a lengthy hiatus due to an ankle injury and the star bowler eventually had to undergo surgery. The recovery process led to Shami missing out on the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
He recently made his return on the domestic scene, announcing his comeback with a stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy. He even scalped seven wickets for Bengal and guided the side to their first win of the tournament.
He claimed another nine wickets in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but due to new concerns over swelling in his knee, the bowler had to be rested ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
On Monday, the BCCI confirmed that Shami won’t be available for the remaining BGT Tests either.
“The swelling is expected, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period. Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” a BCCI statement read.
Earlier, India skipper Rohit Sharma had said the team will not risk Shami’s fitness unless they are completely sure of his recovery.
“There is no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not 100 percent, 200 percent sure, we’re not going to take any risk,” he had said.
The Boxing Day Test is scheduled to begin on December 26.
