Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has declared himself to be “100% pain-free” following a challenging period of injury recovery. Keen to showcase his renewed match fitness, Shami is setting his sights on playing a few key domestic matches before he hones in on the upcoming tour of Australia. This announcement comes as a breath of fresh air for Shami, who has been away from the international cricket scene since participating in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The 34-year-old pacer was conspicuously absent from the field due to a bothersome injury to his left Achilles heel, subsequently exacerbated by knee complications. These injuries had significantly hampered his ability to play and now, following a period of rehabilitation, the cricketer is more optimistic about his return to peak form. Recently, Shami took to the grounds of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, engaging in practice with a full run-up right after the conclusion of the first Test between India and New Zealand. To both his relief and excitement, Shami reported that the practice sessions were promising signs of his physical recovery.
“It felt great yesterday. Before that, I had been bowling with a half run-up because I didn’t want to put too much load on my body,” Shami stated on the sidelines of an event in Gurgaon on Monday, October 21. “We decided yesterday that I would bowl at full intensity for the last two sessions and I gave my 100%. It felt good; the results were encouraging. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon.”
While these updates bring hope, uncertainty still looms regarding Shami’s suitability for the challenging Australian tour that awaits the Indian team. Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently disclosed some of these concerns during an interview.
. Sharma highlighted Shami’s struggle with a swollen knee, which surfaced just as the fast bowler was nearing complete recovery. Although eager to have Shami in the squad, Sharma underscored the importance of erring on the side of caution, acknowledging the possible repercussions of sending an “undercooked” player into the high-octane contests in Australia.
In response to these valid concerns, Shami expressed calm optimism. “I know everyone has been thinking about whether I will go to Australia or not, but that series is still far away,” Shami assured. He emphasized his current focus on achieving full fitness rather than speculating about selection. “The only thing I want to focus on is how to keep myself fit and how to get as strong as I can for the tour. I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series, so it’s better for me to work on the nuances and spend some more time on the ground before going.”
Shami reiterated the importance of playing domestic matches as a preparatory measure before heading to Australia. “If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to ten days, then it’s better that I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia,” he explained. “I don’t know when I can play next, but the day I feel comfortable bowling 20-30 overs and I get the nod from the doctors, I’ll make a run to play a match. I want to spend as much time as I can on the ground before going for the Australia series.”
As the countdown to the first Test match between Australia and India begins—scheduled to start on November 22 in the vibrant yet challenging venue of Perth—Shami’s future in the tournament remains open. His recent health updates are encouraging for fans and teammates alike, fostering hope that one of India’s premier fast bowlers can indeed regain his edge in time for the demanding campaign Down Under. With his commitment to regaining fitness and demonstrating readiness through domestic challenges, Shami aims to carve his path back to the international stage, showcasing his renowned pace and control for India once more.