Mohammad Shami’s performance was one of the highlights of India’s stellar World Cup 2023 campaign. However, the veteran pacer developed an ankle condition soon after the marquee event, which currently requires medical attention
The Indian team management will hope that Shami regains fitness in time for the first Test against South Africa, starting from December 26 in Centurion.
The right-arm quick has been named in the Test squad, but BCCI’s official release stated that he "is currently undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness."
While the cricket board didn’t share any detail on the nature of his injury, a PTI report claimed that Shami was in Mumbai to consult a sports orthopaedic to diagnose his ankle condition.
"It is not exactly an on-field injury. It is an ankle condition that has developed. Shami came to Mumbai to consult the doctors. He will also go to NCA for rehab and recuperation work.
"The national selectors wouldn't have selected him had there not been a chance of him getting fit in time for the Boxing Day Test," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Shami took the cricketing world by storm with his brilliant display in the Cricket World Cup. He was included in the playing XI after India were forced to alter their playing combination due to Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury.
As it turned out, Shami grabbed the opportunity with both hands, taking 24 wickets from seven matches at an astonishing average of 10.70 with three five-wicket hauls. He starred with the ball in India’s 70-run victory over New Zealand in the semi-final, returning with the career-best ODI figures of 7/57 in 9.5 overs.
Shami also picked up a wicket in the final but India lost the title clash to Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
"Shami, in fact, came to watch one of Bengal's Vijay Hazare Trophy games as his younger brother Mohammed Kaif is also playing. He seemed to be walking with a slight limp," PTI quoted a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) source as saying.
It will be interesting to see whether Shami would take part in the three-day intra-squad match between India Seniors and India A squads, which is a tune-up for the Tests.
The report also suggests that Shami won't feature in white-ball games as there are seven Tests scheduled in the next four months, including five against England at home. He is expected to play a key role in the sub-continental conditions where the ball reverses a lot.
Shami’s inclusion in next year's T20 World Cup will depend on how he fares in the 2024 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Gujarat Titans.
(With PTI Inputs)
