"Hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colors before I don the India jersey again" - Mohammed Shami opens up on his comeback from injury
Ace pacer Mohammed Shami remained uncertain of his return to the Indian side from an ankle injury but mentioned playing for Bengal in domestic cricket before returning to international cricket. The 33-year-old underwent surgery earlier this year and has started bowling at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Shami last played for India in the heartbreaking ODI World Cup final defeat to Australia in November last year.
While being felicitated by the East Bengal Club in Kolkata, Shami spoke about his comeback, saying:
"It's difficult to say when I will be back. I am trying hard but hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colors before I don the India jersey again. I will come to play two-three matches for Bengal and will come fully prepared for it."
"We never thought the injury would be this serious. The plan was to address it after the T20 World Cup since we had the IPL and the ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year's World Cup. But it turned worse during the ODI World Cup itself and I also did not find it right to risk playing on with it. Even the doctors could not fathom that the injury will take such a serious turn and will take so much time to heal," he added.
When last seen in action, Shami enjoyed an incredible 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps in seven games.
However, the injury meant he missed the 2024 IPL season and the subsequent T20 World Cup.
"For a moment memories of our 2023 World Cup final loss returned to haunt me" - Mohammed Shami
When asked about the thrilling 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Mohammed Shami admitted to being haunted by memories of the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat.
The Men in Blue were starring down the barrel of another heartbreaking loss in the finale when the Proteas required only 30 runs from the final five overs. However, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh produced a remarkable turnaround to help India clinch the title with a seven-run win.
"To tell you frankly, I got tense when South Africa were pulling things back in the final. For a moment memories of our 2023 World Cup final loss returned to haunt me. But luckily Suryakumar Yadav took that great catch to fetch us the cup and it took time to sink in that India have actually won it," said Shami.
It was India's second T20 World Cup title and their first ICC event win since the 2013 Champions Trophy.