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.
1/9:Five shortest Tests in history: India's record-breaking victory
ANI
2/9:India's Historic Victory
India's victory in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town broke many records, most notably becoming the shortest completed Test match in the history of the game, lasting just 642 balls.PTI
3/9:1. Shortest Match in Test Cricket
The match at Newlands was the 2,522nd Test to be played since England met Australia in Melbourne in 1877. It was also the shortest.PTI
4/9:2. Previous Shortest Test Match
South Africa were also participants in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1932 that previously held the record as they were dismissed for a combined total of 81 across their two innings.Getty Images
5/9:3. Bridgetown Test in 1935
England secured a four-wicket win over the West Indies in January 1935 in Bridgetown in a slightly bizarre game where both sides made tactical declarations to try and make the most of the bowler-friendly conditions.Agencies
6/9:4. Old Trafford Test in 1888
WG Grace top-scored with 38 as England caught Australia on a sticky track at Old Trafford to claim an innings victory in the 1888 Ashes.Agencies
7/9:5. Lord's Test in 1888
Just six weeks earlier the boot was on the other foot as Australia beat England by 61 runs at Lord's, 27 wickets falling on the second day, which remains a record for most wickets in a single day's Test cricket.Getty Images
8/9:Record-breaking Day 1 in Cape Town
Twenty-three wickets fell on the opening day as South Africa, who elected to bat first, were shot out before lunch for just 55. India were then dismissed for 153, losing their last six wickets for zero runs.PTI
9/9:Aiden Markram' Brilliant Century
The Proteas fared marginally better in the second dig with Aiden Markram scoring a brilliant century. But India knocked off the runs for a seven-wicket win, the match lasting just 107 overs.AFP“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, Mohammad 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.”
