Mohammed Shami’s Comeback Hinges on BCCI’s Deadline and Crucial Mandate

Published On: November 28, 2024 5:08 pm

Mohammed Shami’s comeback to Team India before to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is subject to a stringent timeframe and significant fitness requirement set by the BCCI.

New Delhi: Mohammed Shami reportedly has less than a week to make an impression on the selectors in order to earn a position in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 team. After a protracted injury layoff, Shami has just returned to competitive cricket and is being closely monitored by the BCCI medical staff.

Shami will now be evaluated depending on his performance in a couple forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 matches after putting on a great showing in his maiden Ranji Trophy encounter back with Bengal. According to sources, Shami also has to be in better shape and lose a few pounds in order to match the team’s standards.

“What one needs to see is when he can let go of the dependency on the BCCI’s medical team, which is treating him after every spell he is bowling,” a BCCI insider told The Times of India on November 22.

The medical staff believes that as he continues to play matches, he will begin to lose weight, which will increase his stamina. The first round of SMAT matches has been used as a temporary benchmark since the conclusion of the Ranji Trophy leg, the source stated.

The article claims that National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer Nishant Bordoloi and BCCI head of sports science Nitin Patel are in charge of Shami’s training and recuperation schedule while he is with the Bengal squad.

According to reports, Shami had ten days to demonstrate his fitness before his SMAT matches started on November 23.

According to the article, Shami might not return to cricket right after because of the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

If Shami’s recuperation proceeds according to schedule, he may start the third Test on December 14.

“It’s not the best practice to bowl two-over periods in T20 matches in SMAT. It’s a different matter entirely to sustain energy throughout a well-publicized Test series. If he passes the SMAT test, there’s a potential he’ll be assigned to train with Team India, but it would be wise to play him. According to the source, the selectors are also cautious about the Champions Trophy in February.

Team India did a great job in the first Test at Perth without Shami. India won by 295 runs because to eight wickets from stand-in captain and pace leader Jasprit Bumrah, five from Mohammed Siraj, and four from debutant Harshit Rana.