Indian cricket fans have been eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated return of pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury. After delivering an outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, Shami underwent surgery for his injury and has been in recovery since.
It was initially hoped that the star bowler would be back in action for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in November. However, a recent setback has left fans concerned.
According to a report by the Times of India, Shami has now developed swelling in his knee, which could take an additional six to eight weeks to heal. This raises doubts about his participation in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.
“Shami had resumed bowling and was on track for a return to competitive cricket, but this recent flare-up in his knee has caused a delay. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring the situation, but his recovery might take some time,” a BCCI source told TOI.
“It’s a major blow for the NCA medical team, as they have been working on his recovery for over a year. Despite having one of the best workload management systems, the team is doing everything possible to get him back on the field soon,” the source added.
In September, Shami expressed his determination to make a swift comeback, acknowledging that he has been away from the team for an extended period. “I am working hard to return soon because I know I’ve been out for quite some time. However, I want to make sure there’s no discomfort when I’m back. My focus is on fitness to ensure I return stronger without risking another injury,” Shami shared.
“I’ve already started bowling, but I won’t take any chances until I’m 100% fit. Whether it’s for the series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, or Australia, I want to be fully prepared,” he added.
