As India prepares for their three-match Test series against New Zealand, the focus is shifting towards the potential return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the subsequent tour of Australia. Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed concerns regarding Shami’s fitness in a recent press conference, revealing that the pacer faces significant challenges in his recovery.
Mohammed Shami’s current fitness status
Shami, who has been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) following surgery on his Achilles tendon in February, has encountered a setback due to swelling in his knees. This unexpected complication has delayed his recovery process, forcing him to restart his rehabilitation efforts. Rohit expressed uncertainty about Shami’s availability for both the New Zealand series and the critical tour of Australia.
“To be honest, it is difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series. He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He’s at the NCA with doctors and physios,” the Indian skipper told reporters.
Rohit Sharma’s concern over Shami’s readiness
Rohit emphasized the importance of Shami being fully fit before making a return to international cricket. He stated: “We are keeping our fingers crossed, we want him to be 100 per cent fit. We don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia, that is not going to be the right decision for us. It is quite tough for a fast bowler, having missed so much of cricket, and then suddenly to come out and be at his best, it is not ideal.”
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Given that Shami has not played competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he was India’s leading wicket-taker, there are valid concerns about his ability to perform at peak levels after such a long absence from the game.
Roadmap for Shami’s recovery
The Indian team management has outlined a clear roadmap for Shami’s return. He is expected to participate in a couple of domestic matches before rejoining the national squad. Rohit mentioned that physiotherapists and doctors at the NCA are closely monitoring his progress and have set specific milestones for his recovery. The captain reiterated the need for Shami to regain full fitness, stating that it is crucial for fast bowlers to have match experience before stepping back into international play.
