Last update:November 14, 2024, 5:53 p.m. IST

Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy depends on clearance from the NCA medical team after assessing his performance in Bengal’s 2nd innings.

Mohammed Shami has already claimed four wickets for Bengal in the first innings, but his performance in the second innings will also be closely observed. (Photo credit: PTI)

The Indian cricket team could get a huge boost with veteran speed bowler Mohammed Shami set to return to the Indian team for the Australian Test series after making an impressive comeback by taking four wickets in of the Ranji Trophy match on Thursday.

According to a report from Press Trust of India (PTI)The Indian Sports Science and Medicine Team’s Cricket Control Board, team management and the national selection committee are still keen to observe how Shami’s body holds up to the demands of the red ball format.

They probably don’t want to rush and bring Shami back to the side, only for him to get injured again and hence they have opted to closely monitor the 34-year-old pacer and his performance in the second round. GOOD.

After more than a year, Shami played with the red ball where he had four spells in the 57 overs against Madhya Pradesh’s batting innings where he picked up four wickets while giving away 54 runs and including four maidens on the 19 overs he bowled.

MP batters like Shubham Sharma, Saransh Jain and two other tails were his victims where three of the four wickets were bowled while the last one was caught by the keeper, Wriddhiman Saha.

If Shami gets the nod, he is expected to join the Indian team before the second Test in Adelaide which would be a pink ball Test.

The report suggests that national selection committee member Ajay Ratra along with NCA medical team head Dr Nitin Patel came to see Shami Bowl and their comments would be passed on to chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar , to captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam. Gambhir before a final call is taken.

A BCCI source said, “Obviously, Shami has been invited to play this match keeping in mind that the next round of the Ranji Trophy will only begin on January 23, after the Test season ends “.

“But the biggest test would be whether he feels pain again after four days. If the NCA medical team gives the green light for his fitness, he will obviously rejoin before the second test,” added BCCI source.

India would benefit from Shami’s return as their chances of securing a place in the World Test Championship final (2023-25) are also at stake. The two-time finalists must win four and draw all five remaining matches to ensure they qualify for the finals for a third consecutive cycle.

(with PTI inputs)