Mohammed Shami could be flown to Australia as early as next week after the India pacer made a stunning return to competitive cricket with a four-wicket haul for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. More than the wickets, what brought a big relief to the Indian team management was how Shami went about his business. Making a comeback to cricket for the first time since the ODI World Cup final last year, Shami went wicketless on Day 2 in his 10 overs but on the third day, he got rewards for his immaculate consistency.
Shami bowled four spells in Madhya Pradesh’s first innings and returned with figures of 19-4-54-4. His victims included MP skipper Shubham Sharma, all-rounder Saransh Jain and two tail-enders, with three of the four batters being bowled while one edged to keeper Wriddhiman Saha.
While this is great news for the Indian team, news agency PTI reported that the national selection committee will look at how his body holds up in the second innings as well and whether there is any swelling or pain at the end of the contest.
If he ticks all the boxes, it is almost assured that he will join forces with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah before the second Test, which will be a day/night affair.
Ajay Ratra, a member of the selection committee, and Nitin Patel, head of the NCA Medical Team, could play crucial roles here. Ratra had specifically come along with NCA medical team head Patel to watch Shami bowl. Their feedback will be sent to the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir before a final call is taken.
“Obviously, Shami was asked to play this game keeping in mind that the next round of Ranji Trophy will only start on January 23 after the Test season is over,” a BCCI sourced told PTI.
“So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most part of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second innings). Suppose he bowls another 15 to 18 overs in the second innings, that’s a very decent amount of overs bowled.
“But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test,” the BCCI source added.
