NEW DELHI: Currently sidelined with an ankle injury, premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami is likely to make his international comeback in the five-Test series against England at home.
Shami, who will be honoured with the Arjuna award, told TOI on Monday that his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is going well and that he will be available for selection for the England series.
“My rehabilitation is well on track and the medical experts at NCA are happy with my progress. 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. I am targeting the series for my return,” the 33-year-old said.
Shami missed the recent two-Test away series against South Africa due to the injury, even though he had been named in the squad.
“We did well in the second Test. Everyone pitched in 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,” Shami, who finished the 2023 ODI World Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven games, said.
Shami also lauded the present Indian pace trio attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and himself, saying, “I can say this with confidence that we are one of the world’s best pace attacks. You saw that during the ODI World Cup. In the SA series, Jasprit and Siraj bowled brilliantly in the second Test. All I can say is that our pace attack is good enough to challenge any team in the world.”
Shami, who will be honoured with the Arjuna award, told TOI on Monday that his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is going well and that he will be available for selection for the England series.
“My rehabilitation is well on track and the medical experts at NCA are happy with my progress. 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. I am targeting the series for my return,” the 33-year-old said.
Shami missed the recent two-Test away series against South Africa due to the injury, even though he had been named in the squad.
“We did well in the second Test. Everyone pitched in 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,” Shami, who finished the 2023 ODI World Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven games, said.
Shami also lauded the present Indian pace trio attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and himself, saying, “I can say this with confidence that we are one of the world’s best pace attacks. You saw that during the ODI World Cup. In the SA series, Jasprit and Siraj bowled brilliantly in the second Test. All I can say is that our pace attack is good enough to challenge any team in the world.”
