Indian senior pacer Mohammed Shami is likely to make his comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. The experienced Indian pacer Mohammed Shami played his last international game during India’s ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023 and then underwent ankle surgery.
Since then he has been sidelined from many international tournaments and series and even ruled out of the IPL 2024 season following his rehabilitation.
According to a report, the star pacer is likely to play Bengal’s opening two matches in the Ranji Trophy.
Bengal will kick off their campaign against Uttar Pradesh on October 11 and next face Bihar on October 19. Shami is expected to feature in the first or both matches to regain match fitness.
Since there will be only a one-or-two day gap between both the games it is unlikely that he will play both.
As the first test of the New Zealand tour of India 2024 collides with Bengal’s Ranji Trophy fixtures, Shami is likely to miss the opening game but is expected to join the squad for the remaining matches and is tipped to feature in the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
Moreover, BCCI is expected to keep their pace attack fresh for the Australia Test series and is likely to rely on spin strength at home conditions against New Zealand.
The Indian management is looking to keep pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami fit for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Before hosting New Zealand, team India will host Bangladesh for 2 Tests and three T20Is but it will be too early for Shami to make an international comeback. Ranji Trophy 2024-25 will kick start on 11 October 2024 with the final game on 26 February 2025.
