Mohammed Shami’s Comeback Delayed by Fresh Injury, Casting Doubt on Border-Gavaskar Series Participation
India’s premier fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. According to reliable sources, Shami has developed a side strain injury, further delaying his return to competitive cricket.
Shami, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a knee injury, was not included in the Bengal squad for the next two rounds of the Ranji Trophy. The experienced pacer had previously expressed his readiness to return to action after recovering from his knee injury. However, his name was conspicuously absent when India announced a 15-man squad for the Test series against Australia.
“I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can’t put too much stress on my body. So we decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%,” Shami had said at a promotional event last month.
Despite bowling at full tilt in the nets during India’s recent Test series against New Zealand, Shami’s side strain injury has raised concerns about his fitness for the Australia tour. India captain Rohit Sharma had previously stated that the team did not want to risk an “undercooked Shami” in Australia.
Shami’s last competitive appearance came in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2022. His absence from the Border-Gavaskar series would be a significant blow to India’s bowling attack, which is already missing Jasprit Bumrah due to a back injury.
The extent of Shami’s side strain injury and the timeline for his recovery remain unclear. However, the fresh setback casts doubt on his ability to regain full fitness in time for the Australia tour, which begins in February 2023.
