Published: Jan 09, 2024, 03:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 09, 2024, 03:15 PM (IST)
Mohammed Shami has declared that he is “on track” with his ankle injury recuperation and that he intends to return for India in the five-Test series against England that begins on January 25.
“My rehabilitation is well on track and the medical experts at NCA are happy with my progress,” he stated in an interview. “There is slight stiffness in my ankle but that’s fine. I have started my training sessions and I believe I will be able to make a comeback in the England series”.
Subject to fitness, Shami was added to India’s Test team for the two matches in South Africa. Not having the chance to recover in time, he could not go with the squad and was eventually dropped from the series, which India drew 1-1 in the second Test held in Cape Town. He was left off the India’s Twenty20 Indian team roster for their January 11, 14, and 17 matches against Afghanistan.
“We did well in the second Test,” Shami said about India’s performance in South Africa. “Everyone contributed and our bowling effort was brilliant. It was a brilliant comeback by India to level the series. Unfortunately I missed it because of injury but I want to get back to competitive cricket as soon as possible. Hopefully you can see me back in action against England.”
On January 9, Shami was in Delhi to accept the Arjuna Award, which is the second-highest athletic honor in India after the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. With 24 wickets at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20 in just seven games, he was the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Five Test matches are scheduled between India and England: Hyderabad (Jan 25–29), Visakhapatnam (Feb 2-6), Rajkot (Feb 15–19), Ranchi (Feb 23–27), and Dharamsala (Mar 7–11). In the current World Test Championship cycle, India is presently ranked second behind Australia; this will be their third series.
