Mohammed Shami Provides Big Update About His Comeback From Injury

Mohammed Shami was in red-hot form for India in the ODI World Cup last year. The right-arm pacer picked up 23 wickets in seven matches for the Rohit Sharma-led side to finish as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. But since then, he has been out of action due to injury. The 33-year-old fast bowler, who also won the Purple Cap in the IPL last year, is still not sure when he will be able to make his return to international cricket, but before playing for India again, he has confirmed that he will play a few domestic matches.

During an event organised in Kolkata recently, Shami, who underwent surgery for an ankle injury in February this year, said he has already started bowling at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is looking to make his comeback through domestic cricket.

“It’s difficult to say when I will be back. I am trying hard, but hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colours before I don the India jersey again,” he said.

“I will come to play two-three matches for Bengal and will come fully prepared for it,” he added.

During Gautam Gambhir’s first press conference as head coach last month, India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, hinted at Shami’s comeback during the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September.

India will face Bangladesh in two Tests at home and then take on New Zealand in a three-match Test series before flying to Australia in November for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shami on his injury

Shami, who hasn’t been able to play any matches in the last eight months, said he never thought the injury would be this serious.

“We never thought the injury would be this serious. The plan was to address it after the T20 World Cup since we had the IPL and the ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year’s World Cup. But it turned worse during the ODI World Cup itself, and I also did not find it right to risk playing on with it,” he said.

“Even the doctors could not fathom that the injury would take such a serious turn and would take so much time to heal,” the pacer added.