Huge update arrives before BGT 2024-25: Mohammed Shami declared unavailable for....

Team India's veteran pace bowler Mohammed Shami is on the way to his return to cricket after being sidelined for nearly a year due to an ankle injury. Mohammed Shami is set to play two Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal before heading to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

The veteran cricketer has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup final match against Australia due to an ankle injury. He also underwent Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year. Shami has been working hard in the nets to prepare for his long-awaited return to competitive cricket.

Mohammed Shami Will Join For Game Against Karnataka - Laxmi Ratan Shukla

The Bengal team management is optimistic about Mohammed Shami participating in their upcoming matches in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Ranji Trophy. Shami is expected to join the team in Bengaluru for their match against Karnataka and is also likely to play in the following match against Madhya Pradesh.

Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla confirmed that Shami will miss the match against Kerala but expressed hope for his return soon. Shukla emphasized Shami is crucial to the Bengal team and India, adding that strong performances in the Ranji Trophy would benefit him before the Australia series.

“He is not available for this match (vs Kerala), but we are hopeful that Shami will join us for games against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh,” Laxmi Ratan Shukla told The Indian Express.

“He is a valuable player for India and the team his service will be required for the Australia series. Recently, he mentioned how keen he is about playing a couple of Ranji games for Bengal before travelling to Australia. Good outings in the Ranji Trophy will be good for him ahead of the Australia tour and will be a big boost for us our four key players are playing for India and India A,” said Shukla.

Mohammed Shami To Travel With Team India After Mumbai Test?

With this news, Mohammed Shami is unlikely to travel with the Indian team for their upcoming tour to Australia. Team India will leave for Australia after the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. He could join the team after proving his match fitness during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season.

Don’t Want To Bring An Undercooked Shami - Rohit Sharma

The 34-year-old pace bowler has missed important events like IPL 2024 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which India won in June. He was expected to return for the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. However, his comeback to the national team was postponed due to a swollen knee.

Before the Bengaluru Test, Rohit Sharma said, "We don’t want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia." Shami was instrumental in India’s Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, taking 16 wickets in four matches. He played the first Test in the subsequent tour in 2020-21 after suffering an injury in Adelaide.

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