Team India, which has gone on Australia tour, is facing problems even before the start of the Test series. Without some of its important players, Team India has to enter the first Test match to be held in Perth from 22nd November. In such a situation, Team India needs every player who can be available to help it. Star fast bowler Mohammed Shami is one such player, whose fitness had been a matter of concern for the last one year, but now he has reduced this concern a bit by returning to the field. After making a strong comeback in Ranji Trophy, Shami has staked claim for Australia tour but Team India is still in no mood to rush him.
Return after a year, shocks 7 wickets
35-year-old fast bowler Shami, who was out of action due to injury for the last one year, did not get a place in the 18-member squad selected for the Australia tour. By this time Shami was not fully fit and could not make a comeback even in Ranji Trophy. However, Shami returned to the field only last week and returned to cricket action in Bengal’s match against Madhya Pradesh. Shami bowled brilliantly in both the innings and took 7 wickets. The most important thing was that Shami bowled a total of 44.3 overs in the entire match and did not appear to be in any kind of trouble, which is enough to tell about the improvement in his fitness.
Will have to wait for return
On the basis of this strong comeback of Shami, Bengal defeated Madhya Pradesh by 11 runs. Since then, it was believed that Shami would be immediately sent to Australia, where he could become a part of Team India from the second Test match. But it is not so because the team management is not ready to take any kind of risk regarding him. According to the report of Cricbuzz, BCCI is not going to send Shami to Australia immediately. This is because the team management believes that Shami should play a few more matches so that he can attain match fitness. Only after this can a decision be taken on sending Shami to Australia.
In such a situation, the star fast bowler now has the only option to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This T20 tournament is starting from 23rd November, a day after the start of the Perth Test. In such a situation, Shami can play the first 1-2 matches for Bengal in this tournament also, after which he can go to Australia. The second test match between India and Australia will start from December 6 in Adelaide. In such a situation, after reaching Australia, Shami will have enough time to practice. Even before the second Test, Team India will play a practice match, where Shami can test himself.
Got injured in the World Cup
Mohammed Shami was injured during the ODI World Cup last year, after which he underwent surgery in London. He was to return from the series against New Zealand in October but there was swelling in his left knee, due to which his return was postponed. He could not even play any Ranji Trophy match and hence was not selected for the Australia series.