Exclusive: Mohammed Shami Makes Strong Comeback from Injury for England Series

Mohammed Shami makes the ball talk. The skiddy pacer, who has not played an international match of any code after the ODI World Cup final against Australia in 2023, is set to return to international cricket with the five-match T20I series against England starting January 22.

Shami, senior to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in red and white-ball cricket, was recovering from an ankle injury for which he underwent surgery. He also picked up knee-related niggles while on the road to recovery. India missed him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Australia hammered the tourists 3-1.

Shami's inclusion in the T20I squad augurs well for India as he is in the fray for a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy starting February 19. 

Jasprit Bumrah's back spasm has made him uncertain for the event, and only a bowler of Shami's calibre could fill the void.

How is Shami 2.0?

To prove his fitness, the 34-year-old represented his state team, Bengal, in the Ranji Trophy, T20, and 50-over matches.

He returned with 11 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.85 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, while he picked up five wickets in three 50-over games at an average of 25.80. 

In the only Ranji Trophy match, against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, he picked up 4/54 in the first innings and 3/102 in the second.

Senior Indian cricketer Anustup Majumdar, Shami's teammate in Bengal, felt the fast bowler was leaner and fitter and bowled at a faster pace than his usual speed. 

"The name, Shami, has an impact in itself. There was a long gap between his first match in the Ranji Trophy last year [in November], and the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana in the New Year. His bowling improved while playing these matches. I sensed an increase in pace, and he is bowling sharper lengths. Physically, he looks in good shape with a lean build," he told SportsBoom.com. 

"The delivery that cleaned up Rajat Patidar in the Ranji match in Indore had class written all over it," added Majumdar.

England series crucial

Majumdar felt that Shami would need to pass an examination, which is the T20I series, to regain the red-hot form. 

"I think the way we are used to seeing Shami in full throttle, like in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, may need some time. He has time before the Champions Trophy to get into that zone and fitness, and the England series will be crucial. You have to understand that he has always been a very different bowler from the rest with his line, length, swing, and pace," added Majumdar, who has played with Shami since his formative years in domestic cricket in 2010-11.

Cool, carefree and dedicated

Majumdar highlighted that Shami's best quality, which makes all his comebacks seamless, is his overall attitude towards life. 

"He is always so cool; doesn't get bothered or frustrated if he doesn't get picked in the squad. He keeps doing his job at the nets. He has been this way for the longest time I can remember. It is a great quality to have as a sportsman," he said.

Bengal bowling coach Shib Shankar Paul credited Shami for his hunger to make an international comeback. 

"Fast bowlers take time to return from injuries. He was so hungry to return that he wanted to bowl even after finishing a game. This is a great dedication from a sportsman. Few players want to bowl for 30 to 45 more minutes after a game. He was also the first to reach the ground at 6 am, before the team reached, on match days during the domestic T20 matches," he said.

Shami changed his eating habits. "He was on a strict diet. I saw him eating only one meal a day. He loves having biryani, but I haven't seen him indulging in it in the last two months since he returned to action," added Paul.

If all goes well, a Test comeback in the tour of England in June will be a boost for India in the new World Test Championship cycle.