Mohammed Shami reveals his comeback plan in Test cricket

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is all set for his return to competitive cricket following a successful recovery from a knee injury. Before he makes a comeback in the Indian team for the Ranchi Test, he wants to play the March 6 final league match of Vijay Hazare Trophy which will be played between Bengal and Gujarat at Chepauk in Chennai on Monday.

If he passes the fitness test then he will lead the Bengal bowling attack against Gujarat. Before he makes a comeback in the Indian team in Ranchi Test, he wants to test his endurance and fitness during the Vijay Hazare Trophy game. Shami practiced at the NCA and Indian head coach Anil Kumble is quite happy with his fitness. It was Kumble who asked him to play a match before making a comeback for India. He was ruled out from Indian team after playing the Mohali Test in November 2016.

Shami was ruled out for the England series after playing three-match due to his disturbing left-knee. He had played a crucial role in India’s victory in Visakhapatnam and Mohali Test against England. He took 10 wickets in six innings in that series.

However, after going through the rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, he is 100 per cent confident about his India return. “I am feeling good. But then, when you are playing your first match after injury, you might feel a bit of discomfort. So I will need to see how I feel when I give my 100 percent,” the 26-year-old pacer said.

Also check out- Twitter goes wild as Ishant Sharma and Steve Smith get involved in mocking contest

His vulnerable knee gives him a lot of trouble. Shami was ruled out from the team India for a year and a half after a left-knee operation as India’s 2015 World Cup came to an end in the semi-final against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). He has gone through a yearlong rehabilitation before he made a return for the West Indies tour. However, after playing the West Indies series he had to go through another rehabilitation program before making a comeback for home series against New Zealand and England.

Meanwhile, Shami is also quite down emotionally after his father Tousif Ali passed away. His father has a great influence on his life. It was Tousif Ali who decided to bring Shami in Kolkata for Bengal Ranji team trial after Uttar Pradesh Ranji team rejected him.

Written by Sudipto Biswas