[Watch] Mohammed Shami bowls to coach Abhishek Nayar in nets after India's big defeat to New Zealand in 1st 2024 Test
Out-of-squad pacer Mohammed Shami was spotted bowling to assistant coach Abhishek Nayar after the eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Shami has suffered a spate of injuries and has been out of action for India since the 2023 men's World Cup at home.
Journalists present on the ground reported Shami bowled for around an hour but with a strapping on his left knee. Nayar, the former India batter, was seen strapped up and leaving and defending a few balls while bowling coach Morne Morkel kept a close eye. Watch a video of the same here:
Shami played the World Cup with an ankle injury and underwent surgery earlier this year.
"Koshish jaldi hi kar raha hoon kyun ke main janta hoon kaafi time ho gaya hai team se bahar rehte hue (I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time)," Shami said at the Cricket Association of Bengal's awards ceremony in September, as quoted by PTI.
"However, I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I've to work on my fitness, so that there is no discomfort.
"The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don't want to rush and risk getting injured again, be it against Bangladesh, New Zealand or the Australia series. I've already started bowling, but I won't take any chances until I am 100% fit."
He was supposed to make a comeback in the ongoing Ranji Trophy but swelling in his knee has reportedly delayed the comeback and extended rehab.
India missed Mohammed Shami in Bengaluru
India have felt the impact of Shami's absence a few times this year but never more than the Bengaluru Test. Mohammed Siraj struggled against the Kiwi left-handers and his lines were all over the place -- something which Shami is quite good at.
India would hope that he can recover fully by mid-November so as to be fit for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia which begins in Perth on November 22.