Picture Credit: X
Star Indian pacer, Mohammed Shami’s bid to return to competitive cricket has been hit with a significant blow. According to reports citing Times of India (TOI), the Indian fast bowler has developed swollen knee, raising concerns on his return with the three-match Test series against New Zealand and the Board Gavaskar Trophy coming ahead.
Notably, Shami, who is undergoing his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru developed swollen knees and might require another break to enquire about it. The Indian pacer last appeared in Indian jersey at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps.
Mohammed Shami doubtful for BGT 2024-2 5
With him encountering another injury blow, Shami is likely to miss the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy, which is set to commence in November in Perth. However, a statement from an NCA official is yet awaited, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source confirmed the update to TOI.
“Shami had resumed bowling, and he was looking on track to make a comeback to competitive cricket soon. But this knee injury flared up recently. BCCI’s medical team is assessing the injury but it may require quite a bit of time,” a BCCI source said. “It’s a jolt for the NCA medical team. They have been working on him for over a year. They have one of the best workload management systems in place. The medical team is trying its best to put him back in the park soon,” the source further added.
If the injury is really concerning, he is likely to be out of action for another six to eight weeks, missing the three-match Test series against New Zealand. It is to be noted that the 34-year-old was set to play for Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy after he was named in the probable squad . However, he was also in line to make his international comeback in the BGT as he started bowling in full title at the NCA after undergoing a surgery in February 2024.
