Indore: Indian fans looking forward to the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami did not wait long as he performed to expectations. After spending nearly a year on the sidelines due to injury, Shami stepped onto the cricket field to show why he is no less a force than other bowlers in India’s bowling attack. Ahead of the overseas series, Shami was playing for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh and had a sensational game, taking four wickets in the first innings and showing exactly why he was fit and skillful.
Doubts over Shami’s fitness and form lingered after the opening bowler had been out of competitive cricket for 360 days ahead of his comeback. In his first match back Shami bowled 19 overs for 54 runs at an economy rate of 2.84, taking four crucial wickets. Fans will be pleased to know his spell had pace, precision and the aggression they do so love. Shami did the damage with an attack determined to rip out the heart, bowling captain Shubham Sharma for 85 before clean bowling Madhya Pradesh, out for a meagre 332, at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
Shami, who last represented India in an ODI World Cup final against Australia on 19 November 2023, was crucially testing this comeback match. He injured his ankle after the World Cup final and had to undergo surgery followed by a rehabilitation period that was punctuated by setbacks – knee swelling and a side strain that kept him out. Yet, such is Shami’s resilience and fearlessness that it’s there in the Ranji Trophy match.
Shami’s standout performance has lent weight to calls for India’s upcoming tour of Australia without Sehwag and Dhoni to include him. But in particular, his spells against Madhya Pradesh showed his sharp bowling, and his ability to bowl at extended spells, indicating he is in peak condition for the requirements of Test cricket.
While Shami’s four wickets have seemingly led to some speculation, he’ll be selected for the Australia series based on how he continues to perform, and keep himself fit, in subsequent matches. The return of a fit and fierce Mohammed Shami is something the Indian camp and the fans can celebrate for now and hopefully begin to see what’s next in the pacer’s astonishing career.
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