India pacer Mohammed Shami is elated to make a comeback after a long injury layoff. Shami, who has been out since the ODI World Cup Final in 2023, is set to feature for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy on Wednesday, November 13.
The star pacer had carried an ankle injury through the World Cup last year, for which he had to get surgery done. Shami’s rehabilitation programme was derailed before the New Zealand Test series after his knee flared up. However, the pacer is finally set to be back after nearly a year of missing cricketing action.
Shami took to social media after Bengal named him in the Ranji Trophy line-up. The pacer said that 360 days was a long time to be away from cricket and that he had the same passion and hunger to do well.
“Back in Action. 360 days is a long long time!! All set for the Ranji Trophy. Now back on the domestic stage with the same passion and energy. Huge thanks to all my fans for your endless love, support, and motivation,– let’s make this season memorable!” Mohammed Shami said on his social media channels.
Bengal are currently in the fifth spot in the points table with 8 points from 4 games. Bengal bagged 3 crucial points from their last match against Karnataka. The team is set to take on Madhya Pradesh in the 5th round of the tournament from Wednesday, 13 November.
Shami had spoken about his recovery back in October. The pacer stressed that he was pain-free and looking to return to bowling full tilt.
“I am very happy with how I bowled yesterday. I was bowling from half run-up before that because I didn’t want to take too much load. But yesterday, I decided to go full tilt, and I bowled at 100 per cent,” the 34-year-old told reporters during the Bengaluru Test match vs New Zealand.
“The result was good. I am 100 per cent pain-free. Everyone has been wondering for a long time about whether I will make it for the Australia series, but it is still some time away,” he said, referring to the five-match contest that begins November 22 in Perth.
