Mohammed Shami strongly wants to play for team India after recovering from the injury. According to a recent report, Shami has under a week to show the selectors he is fit for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shami recently came back to cricket after being out for a long time due to injury.
The BCCI’s medical team is keeping a close eye on his recovery. After doing well in his first Ranji Trophy game for Bengal, Shami will now be assessed in a few Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 matches. Reports also say that Shami needs to lose some weight and get fitter to meet the requirements.
According to a report by Times of India, a BCCI official told, “What one needs to see is when he can let go of the dependency on the BCCI’s medical team, which is treating him after every spell he is bowling.”
“The medical team feels he will start losing weight as he keeps playing matches, which will help build his endurance. Since the Ranji Trophy leg is over, the first round of SMAT matches have been kept as a makeshift yardstick,” the source also said.
According to the report, BCCI’s head of sports science Nitin Patel, and Nishant Bordoloi, a trainer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), are managing Shami’s training and recovery while he is with the Bengal team.
The report also mentions that Shami may not be pushed to return to cricket quickly, considering the ICC Champions Trophy is in February.
“Bowling two-over spells in T20 matches in SMAT isn’t the ideal parameter. To maintain intensity in a high-profile Test series is a different ball game. There is a chance he could be sent to train with Team India if he clears the SMAT challenge, but to play him will be a good call. The selectors are also wary about the Champions Trophy in February,” said the source.
