Mohammed Shami Set to Play in Ranji Trophy for Bengal

New Delhi: Mohammed Shami, the experienced fast bowler, is currently in the final stages of his rehabilitation following an ankle surgery. There are strong indications that he will return to competitive cricket for his domestic team Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. It is likely that Shami will participate in Bengal's upcoming matches against UP on October 11 and Bihar on October 18. If all goes well, Shami could also be in contention for selection in the Test series against New Zealand.

Since there will be only a two-day gap between both the games it is unlikely that he will play both.

The New Zealand Test series starts from October 19 in Bengaluru followed by Tests in Pune (October 24) and Mumbai (Nov 1). Shami is expected to play one of those games before embarking on the big tour to Australia.

The 34-year-old Shami, one of India’s greatest fast bowlers, last donned the national colours during the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, last year.

Since then Shami hasn’t played any competitive games having undergone an ankle surgery in the United Kingdom in February this year and was in any case ruled out for a minimum period of six months.

While there are Instagram videos of Shami starting off with his RTP routines (Return To Play) at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, bowling with low intensity shortened run-up, there were reports that he could be available for the Duleep Trophy.

However, it has been learnt that there was no chance of him getting fit during the Duleep Trophy and the selectors don’t want to take any chances by rushing him earlier than required.

The priority is to have India’s top three pacers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj — fit for the five Tests in Australia.

Shami has so far taken 229 wickets from 64 Tests with six five-wicket hauls and 12 four-wicket hauls.