Mohammed Shami is set to make his return to international cricket after a year-long absence, as India prepares to face England in a five-match T20I series later this month.
While an official announcement is awaited, sources confirm that the selection committee met on Saturday and decided to include Shami in the squad. The pacer has been sidelined since November 2023 due to an ankle injury.
After recovering from the injury, Shami bowled 43 overs in a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh last November. He also played nine T20s in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), taking two wickets in a quarter-final match against Baroda, where Bengal was eliminated. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has played three matches and claimed five wickets.
Despite his recent domestic appearances, Shami was not selected for the recent Test series against Australia. However, after discussions with the medical team, who were satisfied with his fitness, the selectors have decided to bring him back into the white-ball squad.
Shami has been following a strict diet and fitness regime under the guidance of specialists at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), shedding several kilograms to regain peak form.
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During the Australia series, former India head coach Ravi Shastri emphasized Shami’s potential impact. “The sooner Mohammed Shami arrives, the better it will be for India. He’s playing a lot of domestic matches,” Shastri said. “Brisbane might be too early, but Shami could certainly be available for Melbourne and Sydney.”
Despite this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on December 23 that Shami was not yet ready for red-ball cricket. He continued to play for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with his fitness monitored closely by medical staff at the NCA.
With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the T20Is against England, Shami’s experience will be vital for India’s fast-bowling unit, which also includes Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Sources reveal that Shami will be regularly monitored, and with an eye on a potential spot for the Champions Trophy, it’s possible he may not play all five T20Is against England, ensuring adequate rest through workload management.