Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly has revealed the return date of top-order speedster Mohammed Shami. Ganguly has confirmed that Shami is close to making his spectacular return to competitive action.
The 33-year-old fast bowler has been named in a list of 31 probable Bengal players, and Ganguly revealed that Shami confirmed to him that he will play a couple of matches in the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.
Mohammed Shami confirmed for Ranji Trophy return
The CAB president expects Mohammed Shami to make his long-awaited return with Bengal’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh scheduled for October 11. The Indian pacer is also likely to play in Bengal’s first home Ranji Trophy match against Bihar on October 18.
Ganguly made these revelations after having a crucial conversation with veteran player Mohammed Shami. He is currently recuperating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru where he has been undergoing rigorous rehabilitation following heel surgery.
Mohammed Shami is now said to be in the final stages of his recovery, playing at the nets with full intensity and increasing his workload. However, the CAB president did not make any comment on the player’s rehabilitation but sounded confident that he will be fully fit ahead of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.
Mohammed Shami’s last appearance for the Indian national team was in the dramatic final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played in significant pain due to an Achilles tendon problem. After undergoing surgery in London earlier this year, Shami has been frequently sharing updates on his long recovery process.
I think Shami will be in top form ahead of Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Snehasish Ganguly
Snehasish Ganguly told RevSportz: “Yes, I had a conversation with him (Shami). So, we have included him in the list of probable players for Bengal. He told me that he would play a couple of matches. I don’t know exactly what process he (Shami) has been going through, but by the time the Ranji Trophy starts, I think he will be fully fit.”
Earlier, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said that they have set a timetable for Shami to return with an upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home while announcing the squads for the tour of Sri Lanka.
The India vs Bangladesh Test series is set to begin on September 19 in Chennai and Ganguly hinted that Shami will miss the home series, reiterating that the pacer will not be fit until the start of the Ranji season.
Mohammed Shami to miss Bangladesh Test series
Snehasish concluded by saying, “It seems so, though I am not sure. I don’t have a detailed update, but maybe he will start playing from the Ranji Trophy.”
Notably, after the Bangladesh series, Team India will play three Tests against New Zealand in October-November at home before embarking on a tour of Australia for the five-match Test series later this year.
The national selectors and team management want Shami to be in the flight for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, so they will surely bring the pacer back into the squad for the New Zealand Tests to give him some game time ahead of the crucial tour of Australia.
