Explained: Mohammed Shami's fitness issues, and why he might not play any BGT 2024-25 Tests
Mohammed Shami sustained an ankle injury, followed by a knee issue, which has kept him out of the international setup since the conclusion of the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup. He also missed the entire IPL 2024 season and wasn’t named in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The Times of India reported that the Indian quick sustained a side strain, forcing him to miss Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. Owing to his fitness concerns, Shami was kept out of India’s squad for the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy series Down Under.
The pacer made his return to competitive cricket during the Ranji Trophy 2024 game against MP, marking his comeback with a four-wicket haul for Bengal. While he recovered from the ankle injury, the knee injury delayed his international comeback.
While it was speculated that Shami would be added to the Indian squad during the ongoing BGT 2024-25 series in Australia, captain Rohit Sharma cast doubts on the same during his post-match press conference after the Adelaide Test.
"We are just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali, he got some swelling in his knee, which hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very careful, we don't want to bring him here, he pulls up sore or something happens.
"We want to be more than 100 per cent sure with him because it has been a long time. We don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. There are some professionals monitoring, we will take a call based on what those guys feel. They are the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game, after bowling four overs, standing for 20 overs. But the door is open for him to come and play anytime," he said (via Hindustan Times).
Moreover, with the Champions Trophy scheduled to start in February 2025, the team management might decide against risking the fast bowler.
BCCI official provides update on Shami
The pacer, after playing in the Ranji Trophy, is now featuring in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making chances of his India return stronger. Shami’s fitness and recovery are being closely monitored by the BCCI and the Indian cricketing board now awaits a nod from the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
An insider recently provided an update on Shami’s health condition to Indian Express and his potential return.
"The selection committee is waiting for the NCA's fitness clearance report on Shami. He travelled to Bengaluru to give a fitness test. He played the Ranji Trophy as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, where he looked good. His kit is also ready. We are just waiting for the approval from the NCA," a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
India won the BGT opener in Perth but faced a heartbreaking defeat in the pink-ball Test that was played in Adelaide. As a result, India slipped to the No. 3 spot in the World Test Championship points table.
It is when many, including former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri, felt Shami’s absence, and hoped he could return to the side.
Though India lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia, Shami was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and finished with 24 scalps, with his best bowling figures being 7/57. Achieving the feat in seven games, he registered an economy of 5.70 and an average of 10.70.