KOLKATA: Mohammed Shami is unsure when he will again don the India jersey, but the pacer has decided to make a comeback by participating in domestic cricket. Shami, who has been recovering from an ankle surgery that was done on him in February since this year’s beginning, has already started bowling at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA). Although, he is yet to go full throttle.
“It is difficult for me to say when I will return. I am trying hard but hopefully you will see me in Bengal colors before I wear India shirt again,” he stated while being feted by East Bengal club at Kolkata.
“I will come and play two-three matches for Bengal and will be prepared thoroughly for it”, said Shami thus marking his availability for the forthcoming domestic season.
Intriguingly, BCCI secretary Jay Shah also advised centrally contracted Indian cricketers to showcase their skills in national cricket games should they nurture national team ambitions.
The 33-year-old speedster disclosed that the injury came at a time when he had already begun to recover from India’s loss in final of ODI World Cup. “We never thought the injury would be so severe. The plan was to deal with it after the T20 World Cup as we had IPL and ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year’s World Cup. But during the ODI World Cup itself it worsened and I didn’t think it made sense playing with it.” “Even doctors weren’t able to believe that this injury could become so serious and take such long time”, added paceman.
Hence this year Shami, who became India’s highest wicket-taker during the 2023 World Cup, missed IPL; besides sitting at his place watched triumph of India over T20 WC event.
“To say honestly, I got tensed when South Africa were pulling things back in final. For a moment our defeat in the 2023 WC final came to my mind. But fortunately, Suryakumar Yadav took that unbelievable catch to win us the Cup and it took time for me to understand that India have really conquered it,” claimed Shami.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly who was also honoured during the evening too looked forward to Shami’s comeback. “I am surprised to see that Shami has only played 101 ODIs. A player of his ability and talent should have featured in many more,” said Ganguly.
The ex-BCCI chief recalled spotting Shami first while playing for Bengal in late 2000s. “Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) was the captain of Bengal then and I instantly told him this boy (Shami) is a special talent. He has lived up to my expectations by performing well,” he added.
“It’s said Bumrah is the best pacer, but Bumrah became the best because he had Shami at other end. So you have pressure from both ends”, Ganguly commented.
