Mohammed Shami will play for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, starting on Wednesday, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has confirmed. The fast bowler has received fitness clearance from the NCA, where he was doing rehab. If things go to plan, there’s even a possibility of Shami joining the Indian team towards the latter half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, from the Boxing Day Test onwards.
“In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Mohammed Shami will make a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday,” the CAB said in a press release.
“Shami, who has been out of competitive action since India’s ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad last November, will spearhead the Bengal pace bowling attack against Madhya Pradesh,” the press release added. “Shami’s inclusion in the Bengal team will not just be a big boost, but (will) also lift the morale of the entire team, which aims to make it to the next round of the Ranji Trophy.”
Shami underwent a successful surgery on his left Achilles tendon and started doing rehab at the NCA. The process, however, faced several setbacks. A swollen knee put paid to his chances of playing the home Test series against New Zealand. Then, he suffered a side strain.
As the national selectors picked the squad for the five-Test series in Australia, the 34-year-old quick was not included. Captain Rohit Sharma spoke about not taking chances with a player who would be “undercooked”.
Earlier this month, during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka in Bangalore, Shami met with his Bengal teammates and had a word with coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla. He informed the group that he would be back soon. After the game against Madhya Pradesh, the veteran seamer is expected to play in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament also, that is commencing on November 23.
As regards Shami joining the Indian team in Australia, it will depend on how things pan out. The selectors incorporated Washington Sundar into the squad as an additional member during the New Zealand series.