Team India's senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami is set to make his long-awaited return to the field after almost 11 months. The 33-year-old will be back in action through this year's Ranji Trophy, where he is expected to represent Bengal in his first competitive match since his absence.
As per BCCI's new strict guidelines, every player, regardless of their stature or experience, must participate in domestic cricket to demonstrate their form and fitness. By proving himself in the Ranji Trophy, Mohammed Shami will be eligible for an India comeback in the home Test series against New Zealand, as reported by Indian Express.
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Team India's upcoming international series will be against Bangladesh, featuring a two-match Test series starting from September 17. Following that, India will host New Zealand for another two-match Test series, beginning on October 16.
Earlier, it was anticipated that Mohammed Shami would return to the national team for Bangladesh Tests, but it appears that fans will have to wait a bit longer. Although the veteran's recovery process has been going well, the management is not rushing to bring him back into action, as reported by Indian Express.
Shami was injured during the ODI World Cup last year but continued to play throughout the tournament despite the injury. After the World Cup, he disclosed that he had been dealing with an injury, which ultimately required him to undergo ankle surgery at the beginning of this year. Since then, he has been sidelined from the field.
The senior pacer missed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and T20 World Cup 2024 due to his injury and has been absent from cricket for the past 11 months. According to reports, Shami will play his first match for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. The match, scheduled between Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, will start on October 11, and the right-arm pacer is expected to be part of it.