Mohammed Shami, one of the most reliable fast bowlers in Indian cricket, stands at a crucial juncture in his international career.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has prepared an extremely meticulous roadmap for Shami’s return, which is important not only for his personal career but also for Team India as a whole.
After a long injury lay-off, Shami recently made a stunning comeback for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. This performance is a ray of hope for him, who now looks close to making a comeback to Team India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to be held in Australia.
However, this return will not be as easy as it seems. The BCCI medical team is monitoring Shami’s every movement and there are several stringent criteria set for his return.
What is the BCCI’s stand?
Sources in the BCCI say that the most important aspect of Shami’s return is his fitness level and weight loss.
Further the source revealed: “Bowling two overs in T20 matches at SMAT is not the ideal parameter. Maintaining intensity in a high-profile Test series is a different game altogether. If he clears the SMAT challenge, he can be sent to train with Team India, but it will be a good decision to play him. The selectors are also worried about the Champions Trophy in February.”
Endurance and physical fitness are extremely important for a fast bowler, especially when it comes to Test matches. So the board has looked at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25 as a testing platform for Shami’s return. Here their performance and fitness will be carefully assessed.
Challenges and opportunities in Shami’s return
Under the watchful eyes of sports experts like Nitin Patel and Nishant Bordoloi, Shami is trying to revive his fitness and technique. His recovery plan is so extensive that he could potentially return to Team India in the third Test match to be held at the Gabba in Brisbane in December.
However, BCCI sources are of the clear view that bowling two overs in T20 matches is not enough for Test cricket. Maintaining consistent high pace and accuracy is a big challenge in Test cricket. So Shami will have to improve not only his fitness but also his technical skills.
In Shami’s absence, the Indian team won the first Test in Perth with a great performance. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana were the standout bowlers while Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat. But Shami’s return can give a new dimension to the team’s balance and aggression.
It is clear that the BCCI’s aim is not only to get Shami fit but also to get him fully ready for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Therefore, every step has to be taken carefully.
If all goes according to plan, Shami can soon make a comeback for Team India and perform to the best of his ability.
