Mohammed Shami returns, to make a comeback vs MP in Ranji Trophy on Wednesday

Team India senior pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his competitive comeback on Wednesday (November 13) for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore.

Shami last played for India in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad on November 19. He initially went out of action due to an ankle injury, for which he underwent surgery and extensive rehab at the then-National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. However, his return was delayed due to swelling in his knee.

After the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Mohammed Shami was seen bowing extensively to India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and looked in rhythm. However, he still couldn't play the first few games of the Ranji Trophy.

"Shami, who has been out of competitive action since India's ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad last November, will spearhead the Bengal pace bowling attack against Madhya Pradesh," Cricket Association of Bengal confirmed in a statement (via Sportstar). "Shami's inclusion in the Bengal team will not just be a big boost but also lift the morale of the entire team, which aims to make it to the next round of the Ranji Trophy."

Bengal are in the fifth spot on the points table with eight points from four games and are coming off a win against Karnataka.

Can Mohammed Shami bowl for India in Australia?

If Shami can remain fit throughout the upcoming Ranji Trophy game, it would be excellent news for India's Test side that has recently traveled to Perth for the first Test of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy. The visitors would hope he can feature in at least a couple if not more Tests in the series.

India have carried a relatively young squad Down Under, with Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana as the only frontline pacers alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Mohammed Shami has 31 wickets in eight Tests Down Under at an average of 32.16 and will bring much-needed experience with him.

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