Mohammed Shami's Return: A Positive Sign for India Ahead of Major Tournaments
Rajkot is perhaps the last venue a fast bowler would pick for a comeback. With an average first-innings score of 186 in T20Is, the pitch is a known paradise for batters. Murali Kartik aptly described it as "as bald as my head," while Nick Knight called it a "#belter." But for Mohammed Shami, none of that mattered. After 14 months away from international cricket, he was back in action.
The Long Road to Recovery
Shami last played for India in November 2023 during the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. Throughout the tournament, he battled an ankle injury that ultimately required surgery in February 2024. His last T20I appearance was even further back, in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against England. Since then, India’s T20 approach has evolved significantly—mainly in batting—but Shami’s role as a bowler remained unchanged.
A Watchful Start
Named in the squad for the England T20Is, there were high expectations for Shami’s immediate inclusion. He bowled in the nets before the first two games, knee strapped for support, but was kept on the bench. Whether it was a fitness concern or a strategic decision remains unclear. However, when India rested Arshdeep Singh for the third T20I, Shami finally got his chance.
Testing the Waters
Bowling first after Suryakumar Yadav’s decision at the toss, Shami made an instant impact. His first ball was a beauty—good length, angling towards deep third, swinging away just enough to beat Phil Salt’s bat. His pace, at a satisfactory 134.6kph, showed no signs of discomfort. Though he conceded a boundary next ball, his first over was economical, giving away just six runs.
In his second over, he tested Jos Buttler with a straight-seamed delivery that seamed away, creating a half-chance. Against left-hander Ben Duckett, he went around the wicket, but Duckett managed to scoop him for six. By the end of two overs, Shami’s figures read 2-0-15-0.
Returning for his third and final over in the 19th, with England struggling at 151 for 9 thanks to Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul, Shami varied his lengths but conceded ten runs and a bye. An attempted yorker turned into a beamer, hinting at some rustiness. He finished wicketless with figures of 3-0-25-0—not a spectacular comeback but a steady one.
Signs of Progress
Shami’s journey back has been far from smooth. He was expected to feature in the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand but missed both due to fitness setbacks. His return to domestic cricket saw him bowl 43 overs in a Ranji Trophy match and feature in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.85. However, just as he seemed ready for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his knee swelled up, ruling him out once again.
With the Champions Trophy and a crucial Test series in England ahead, India will be relieved to see Shami bowling without discomfort. Though his comeback wasn’t headline-grabbing, his return is undoubtedly a boost for the team’s bowling depth in the months to come.