Mohammed Shami’s Comeback Hopes Dented by Knee Injury
Team India’s hopes of a swift return for premier pacer Mohammed Shami have been dealt a blow as he has developed “swollen knees” during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The injury could sideline Shami for an additional six to eight weeks, jeopardizing his availability for the upcoming five-Test series in Australia.
Shami has been undergoing rehab at the NCA since February after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. He was expected to join the Bengal Ranji Trophy team and participate in the first-class tournament starting October 11. However, the knee injury has flared up, casting doubt on his immediate return.
“Shami had resumed bowling and was on track to make a comeback soon. But this knee injury has flared up recently. The BCCI’s medical team is assessing the injury, but it may require significant time,” said a BCCI source.
Shami’s last competitive appearance was in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was selected for India’s two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, subject to fitness. However, he was ruled out after the BCCI medical team withheld clearance.
The injury is a setback for the NCA medical team, which has been working with Shami for over a year. The team has implemented a comprehensive workload management system, but the knee injury has emerged as an unexpected hurdle.
The Indian team management has been cautious about the workload of its premier fast bowlers, including Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. They were expected to lead the attack in Australia, but neither has played five consecutive Test matches recently.
The selectors will face a dilemma when selecting the squad for the three-Test home series against New Zealand starting October 16. They will hope that Shami recovers in time for the Australia tour, but his availability remains uncertain.
