'Don’t want to rush and risk getting injured again’ - Mohammed Shami shares cautious comeback plans

India ace pacer Mohammed Shami injured his ankle during the ODI World Cup 2023. Soon after that, he underwent surgery and eventually started training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He resumed bowling in July but the 34-year-old isn’t ready yet to make a comeback in professional cricket.

Sharing an update about his injury, Shami noted that he doesn’t want to rusk and risk being injured again. The Bengal pacer stated that he is working on his comeback but a return date is not yet confirmed as he is yet to regain full fitness. Shami also clarified that he is not thinking about the upcoming New Zealand or Australia series and if required, he will play domestic cricket to check his fitness before returning to internationals.

“I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time. I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I have to work on my fitness so there is no discomfort,” Shami said during the CAB annual awards.

If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will: Shami

“The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don't want to rush and risk getting injured again, be it against Bangladesh, New Zealand, or the Australia series. I've already started bowling, but I won't take any chances until I am 100 per cent fit. If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will. What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format,” he added.

Meanwhile, India will host Bangladesh and New Zealand next before travelling to Australia in the winter.

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Shami is expected to feature in the series down under, but everything depends on how his body feels. Currently, the selectors seem to be in no hurry to get the pacer back in.