Shami Bowls at Full Pace in Bengaluru, Eyes Comeback Ahead of Australia Tour

Mohammed Shami, India's fast-bowling ace, took a major step toward his comeback as he bowled for over an hour at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after the conclusion of the first Test between India and New Zealand. Shami, who has been out of action since November last year due to an ankle injury, was seen bowling at full tilt, raising hopes of his return ahead of India's upcoming five-Test series against Australia.

The 34-year-old fast bowler, who was sporting heavy strapping on his left knee, bowled to India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar while being closely observed by bowling coach Morne Morkel. Despite the visible strapping, Shami showed no signs of discomfort during his extended session, which began around 2:30 PM and lasted until 3:50 PM. He also participated in fielding drills near the boundary, signaling that he is gradually working his way back to full fitness.

Shami’s Intense Session

Shami started his session with a few warm-up deliveries before marking out his full run-up, which he used throughout the remainder of his practice. After Nayar finished his batting stint, Morkel set up cones on the pitch, and Shami continued to bowl with his trademark intensity, showing his readiness to return to competitive cricket. His session on Sunday came after he had bowled for nearly 45 minutes on day two of the Test, using both a short and long run-up on one of the practice pitches.

This extended practice comes at a critical time as India awaits Shami's recovery before the challenging Australia tour, which is set to begin in November. Shami’s last appearance was during the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he played through an ankle injury but still delivered outstanding performances, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an impressive average of 10.70.

Injury Struggles and Road to Recovery

Shami’s ankle injury has kept him out of competitive cricket for almost a year, and the road to recovery has been long. After the World Cup final, Shami underwent surgery in London in February to repair his ankle. Unfortunately, he has not yet fully recovered, which ruled him out of this year’s domestic season and India’s Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The Indian team management has been cautious with Shami's return, especially given his importance to the pace attack. Captain Rohit Sharma had provided an update at the start of the Bengaluru Test, revealing that Shami had suffered a "setback" due to swelling in his knee during the recovery process. Rohit emphasized the importance of giving Shami ample time to regain full fitness, acknowledging the challenges fast bowlers face when returning from long injury layoffs.

"He has not played any cricket for over a year," Rohit said. "It is quite tough for a fast bowler to have missed so much cricket and then suddenly to come out and be at his best. It is not ideal. We will want to give him enough time to recover and be 100% fit."

Focus on Australia Tour

India’s upcoming tour of Australia is crucial, and Shami’s role will be pivotal in leading the fast-bowling unit. Given his vast experience and success in Australian conditions, the team management is eager to have him fully fit for the series. However, Rohit made it clear that they would not rush Shami back into action if he is not ready, stressing that bringing an “undercooked” Shami to Australia would not be the right decision.

The five-Test series in Australia is seen as one of the toughest assignments for any cricketer, particularly fast bowlers who have to cope with the physically demanding conditions. Shami’s ability to generate pace and movement in those conditions will be critical for India’s success. His record in Australia speaks for itself, as he has previously troubled the Australian batters with his reverse swing and accuracy on hard, bouncy tracks.

Careful Management of Shami’s Comeback

The Indian team’s medical staff, along with bowling coach Morne Morkel, has been carefully monitoring Shami’s progress. Given the length of time Shami has spent away from the game, the team is taking no chances with his rehabilitation. His practice session in Bengaluru, where he bowled continuously for more than an hour, is a positive sign, but it is clear that the final decision on his fitness will only be made closer to the Australia tour.

Shami’s return would be a huge boost for India, particularly in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who is also nursing an injury. A fully fit Shami, paired with India’s younger fast bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, would give India a potent bowling attack capable of challenging Australia in their own backyard.

Looking Ahead

As Shami continues his rehabilitation, the Indian camp will be cautiously optimistic. His extended bowling session in Bengaluru suggests that he is making steady progress, but whether he will be fully fit in time for the Australia tour remains to be seen. India will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift and complete recovery, as Shami’s experience, skill, and ability to deliver under pressure will be invaluable in their quest for success on Australian soil.

With weeks left before the first Test, all eyes will be on Shami’s fitness as India prepares for one of the toughest challenges in world cricket. For now, his return to bowling at full tilt in Bengaluru is a promising step forward.