As team India prepares to take on England in the upcoming five-match T20I series, the focus is firmly on veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm pacer has made his much-awaited return to the Indian team for the upcoming series.

He has not played for the Indian team since the 2023 World Cup final in November 2023. He played the World Cup with an ankle injury and finished the competition as the highest wicket-taker. However, Mohammed Shami had to pay a heavy price for playing while suffering from injury as he had to undergo surgery and was sidelined for almost a year.

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He returned to competitive cricket a couple of months ago and was also vying to make India’s team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the selectors decided not to include him in the Test squad before calling him up for the T20Is against England.

Mohammed Shami strives:

He is BACK 💪🏻

Team India 🇮🇳
Mohd. Shami 😎
Gardens of Eden 🏟️

Simply perfect 👌🏻#TeamIndia | #INVENGE | @MdShami11 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/PwCuEOcaDA

-BCCI (@BCCI) January 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami along with his India teammates underwent a grueling three-hour practice session on Sunday (January 19). With heavy straps on his left knee, probably as a precautionary measure, the Indian pacer began his bowling practice by running with short strides.

Later, he also participated in a fielding drill to test his knee. And it didn’t take long for Mohammed Shami to dispel all apprehensions about his fitness as he cast a fiery spell while doing a long run. According to a PTI report, the fast bowler bowled players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma in the nets and troubled them with pace and bounce.

Mohammed Shami played at full speed for almost 45 minutes without needing help from the team’s physiotherapist or strength and conditioning coach. After the bowling session, he was seen chatting with bowling coach Morne Morkel.

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Mohammed Shami limping:

While Mohammed Shami did not appear to be in any discomfort while bowling in the nets, he left many worried as he limped back to the dressing room. Later, he returned to the ground and was seen interacting cautiously with his former Bengal teammates while carefully handling his heavily bandaged left knee.

Meanwhile, Shami has also been included in India’s squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy. Since Jasprit Bumrah is not fully fit, Shami being fit is very important for the Indian team.

“I don’t think his fitness has anything to do with white-ball cricket. We were trying to get him to Australia,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said at the press conference announcing the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

“Unfortunately, his knee did not allow him to play four- or five-day cricket. As far as the white ball is concerned, I think he has played most of Syed Mushtaq Ali’s matches and some of Vijay Hazare’s matches.”