Mohammed Shami, the senior speed master for India, is poised to return to international cricket in the final two Tests of the ongoing series against Australia. His playing kit has already been sent to Australia, and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is expected to provide the necessary fitness clearance soon.
While Shami’s participation in the Brisbane Test, scheduled to begin on December 14, remains uncertain, it is widely anticipated that he will take the field in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on December 26.
According to sources close to the cricketer, the NCA’s fitness certificate for Mohammed S. is imminent. He will join his team in Australia after completing his commitments in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he has been actively participating.
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Shami’s road to recovery has been long and challenging; he missed considerable time due to ankle surgery and faced further delays following swelling in his knee shortly before his scheduled return against New Zealand.
With the knockout phase of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy currently taking place in Bengaluru, Shami is expected to be assessed by the NCA medical team, led by Dr. Nitin Patel, after Bengal’s campaign concludes. Bengal’s head coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, indicated that while Shami will compete in the pre-quarterfinal against Chandigarh, his availability for the subsequent rounds will depend on how he feels after the match.
Shukla emphasized the importance of Mohammed’s return to form, noting that the speedster has already lost around six kilograms and has played seven T20 matches within a short span of just 13 days. Shami is eager to accumulate domestic game time to better evaluate his fitness level. This dedication aligns with the sentiments of former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who expressed a desire to see Shami play in Brisbane.
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India currently leads the Test series, having won the first match in Perth, and the second match is ongoing in Adelaide. Shami’s anticipated return could prove pivotal as India seeks to maintain momentum against Australia.