Mohammed Shami to be back for India vs New Zealand Tests? Here's the update

Mohammed Shami, who captivated fans especially with his splendid performances in the 2023 World Cup, has been sidelined since November 19, 2023, due to an Achilles heel tendon injury. This setback necessitated surgery in February, and since then, Shami has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Originally targeting a return for the Bangladesh series in September, Shami now faces a delay. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted not to expedite Shami's return to the field. This cautious approach is influenced by the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, which is slated for later in the year. The BCCI’s decision reflects a strategy to ensure that Shami’s recovery is fully completed before he re-enters competitive play, thereby avoiding any risk of re-injury.

Once fit, Shami is expected to significantly strengthen the Indian pace attack, which currently features Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. His experience and skill will be a valuable addition to the pace battery as India prepares for the high-stakes series against Australia. Shami’s return will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike, as his presence is anticipated to bolster the team’s bowling depth and enhance their performance in the crucial matches ahead.

“Since he hasn’t played in a while, he has to be integrated smoothly into the system. With Bumrah, we had the T20s in Ireland, which allowed us to increase his workload gradually. But with Shami, we are talking about Test cricket, where he has to bowl long spells. It will be a step-by-step process and Australia tour is the ultimate goal,” a source was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

With the Test series against Bangladesh now looking unlikely for his return, Mohammed Shami is setting his sights on the upcoming Ranji Trophy season in October as a potential avenue for his comeback. The domestic competition will provide Shami, a right-arm pacer, with valuable match experience and could pave the way for his return to international cricket. If he is not fully match-fit by then, Shami might join the India A squad traveling to Australia for two four-day fixtures in Mackay and Melbourne, starting on October 31 and November 7. Should this scenario unfold, Shami would miss the home Test series against New Zealand.

In addition, Jasprit Bumrah is anticipated to be rested for the Bangladesh series to ensure he is in peak condition for the critical Test series against Australia later in the year. Bumrah has not played since India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory on June 29 and has been rested for the white-ball tour to Sri Lanka and the upcoming Duleep Trophy season. As a result, the selectors are considering incorporating Arshdeep Singh or Khaleel Ahmed into the squad for the Bangladesh series to strengthen India’s left-arm seam options. These adjustments are part of a broader strategy to ensure key players are well-prepared for the more demanding fixtures ahead, maintaining a balance between rest and competitive play to optimize performance in crucial upcoming matches.