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Mohammed Shami is likely to return to the national side for the upcoming white-ball series against England.
Mohammed Shami. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is likely to make his long-awaited international comeback during the upcoming white-ball series against England which may open the possibly of him featuring in the Champions Trophy 2025 as well. Shami’s last appearance for India was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final after which he underwent a surgery that pushed him to the sidelines for a long period.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the National Cricket Academy’s medical team has been keeping a close eye on Shami. Following the surgery, he developed minor swelling in the knee which in turn ruled him out of action for the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Currently, he’s part of Bengal’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and is set to play the pre-quarterfinal fixture against Haryana on Thursday. The report states that at least one physio or trainer from the NCA has been accompanying the pacer.
Members of the BCCI’s selection committee are expected to attend the Vijay Hazare Trophy’s knockout games in Baroda and also take note of Shami’s performances.
It is said that his bowling is largely unaffected and that his knee isn’t an area of much concern either.
For Shami to make his return to the Indian team, he would need the go-ahead from the NCA.
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also awaiting a report from the NCA. Bumrah who has been outstanding in the tour Down Under, suffered a back injury during the final Test in Sydney.
Like Shami, he would also need the NCA’s clearance.
Akash Deep is also out of action for a month, which means India will have to look at their fast-bowling stocks closely for the upcoming white-ball series against England. India takes on England in a five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs at home.
As per the report, the selection committee is set to meet around the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting on January 12 to pick the ODI and T20I squads for the England series and the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy.
