Mohammed Shami, India’s premier fast bowler, will miss Bengal’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka due to an ongoing ankle injury. The Bengal squad, announced on Saturday, did not include Shami’s name.
However, there is a strong possibility that Shami will return to action in Bengal’s subsequent match against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to begin on November 13 in Indore. Sources close to the team have indicated that Shami is unlikely to be rushed back into action and will make his competitive return at his own pace.
Shami, who has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, has been recovering from an ankle injury since the conclusion of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. He underwent surgery in February and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Despite his absence, Bengal remains in a strong position in Elite Group C of the Ranji Trophy, holding fourth place with five points after three matches. Coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla will be hoping that Shami’s return will provide a significant boost to the team’s title aspirations.
Shami’s last competitive match was the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final against Australia, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps. He played a pivotal role in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2018/19, claiming 16 wickets in four matches.
If Shami recovers in time, he could be available for the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Brisbane, starting on December 14. His return would be a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after their triumph in 2020/21.
