Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Australia tour has been disrupted by a recent setback following his prolonged absence due to a left Achilles heel injury.
Taking inspiration from Rishabh Pant’s composure, Mohammed Shami aims to participate in a couple of Ranji Trophy matches before departing for Australia to compete in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy commencing on November 22nd.
During my time at the National Cricket Academy, I had the opportunity to accompany Rishabh during his rehabilitation period post-injury. Witnessing the harrowing images left a lasting impact on me. Despite his shattered ligaments, what struck me the most was Rishabh’s unwavering positivity. He tackled his rehab sessions with a smile, imparting a valuable lesson on resilience and patience. Sharing his experience at an event in Gurgaon, Shami reflected on the profound inspiration he drew from Rishabh’s optimistic outlook.
Following the first Test match between India and New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, the 34-year-old fast bowler, who has been absent from the Indian team since the 2023 ODI World Cup, was spotted practicing with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
He expressed his delight about the previous day’s experience, mentioning how he had opted for a semi run-up while bowling earlier to avoid exerting excessive strain on his body.
[Rephrased]: “Yesterday, we made the decision for me to bowl with full intensity during the final two sessions, and I put in my maximum effort. The experience was satisfying, and the outcomes were positive. I am optimistic about getting back on the right path soon.
Shami’s return for the Australia tour has been derailed due to a recent setback in his recovery from a left Achilles heel injury that had sidelined him for nearly a year. Nonetheless, the bowler remains hopeful about his fitness.
He mentioned that despite much speculation about his potential trip to Australia, the series in question is still quite distant.
My main goal is to concentrate on maintaining my fitness and increasing my strength for the upcoming tour. I am aware of the type of attack we aim to unleash during the Test series, hence it is prudent for me to refine the finer details and dedicate extra time to training on the field before our departure.
It would be advantageous for me to participate in one or two domestic matches before heading to Australia if I manage to improve my fitness and have a break of eight to ten days.
Once I receive medical clearance and build the stamina to bowl 20-30 overs comfortably, I will eagerly jump back into playing matches. My ultimate aim is to maximize my time on the field before gearing up for the upcoming Australia series.
Shami has indicated that he remains uncertain about whether he will be available for Bengal’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match, set to commence on October 26th.
If I felt prepared to bowl 20 overs daily and received approval from the doctors, I would be willing to accelerate my rehabilitation in time for the upcoming match,” he stated.
The pace bowler from India remains hopeful that the team led by Rohit Sharma will emerge victorious once again in the series against Australia. Shami was instrumental in India’s historic Test series victory in Australia during the 2018-19 season, claiming 16 wickets in four matches. Nevertheless, during India’s subsequent tour in 2020-21, he only participated in the opening Test in Adelaide before being sidelined due to an injury.
He expressed optimism about our chances of winning, attributing it to the good form we’re in and our diverse pool of fast bowlers. All we have to do is score some runs, and our bowlers will take care of the rest,” he remarked.
India’s success in Test matches away from home was attributed to Shami and the fast bowling attack.
Since 2014, our cohesive unit has been operating together. According to him, India has never previously had three bowlers concurrently capable of bowling over 140kph; at most, there were two. Presently, we even have reserves who can reach 145kph.
Our opponents anticipate facing a specific type of bowler, but this expectation helps instill fear by showcasing a diverse set of bowlers all capable of hitting 145kph with varied skills. Our ability to demonstrate resilience during overseas tours marks a shift from playing it safe in the past when our pace attack lacked aggression. Now, we respond in kind with a stone-cold determination.
