ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Shami fitness update officially issued by India coach

As Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is still under the dark clouds, the India National Cricket Team would certainly be hoping that Mohammed Shami is 100% fit and returns to his form for the upcoming prestigious tournament.

After being sidelined for more than one year due to injuries, Mohammed Shami made his triumphant comeback in the ongoing limited-overs series against England at home.

However, the senior Indian pacer is not looking at his best with the ball, but the white-ball games are providing him the much-needed practice to the bowler to regain his form ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mohammed Shami ready for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but Jasprit Bumrah's fitness still a mystery

Notably, Shami scalped three wickets in two T20I matches against England, and then the 34-year-old bagged one wicket in his eight-over spell during the Men in Blue’s four-wicket win over Jos Buttler’s team in the first ODI at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on February 6.

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With the seasoned pacer gradually returning to his form with the ball, India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, shared a big update on Mohammed Shami’s fitness. Actually, ahead of the second ODI in Cuttack, the coach was asked about Shami’s fitness and availability for the upcoming ICC event.

In a big relief for India amidst the concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, Sitanshu Kotak has declared that Shami is completely fit for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, the batting coach refused to comment on Bumrah's fitness, as he is not aware of the star pacer’s scans.

Mohammed Shami declared fully fit for the ICC Champions Trophy by Shitanshu Kotak

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sitanshu Kotak told the media, “Mohammed Shami is absolutely fit. He is completely fit for the Champions Trophy. But I’m not aware of Bumrah's scans, so that will be obvious; our doctor or physio will know about that.”

Meanwhile, Kotak defended the Indian captain Rohit Sharma's form and dismissed any concerns over his recent performances. He pointed out that before the first ODI in Nagpur, Rohit delivered consistently in his last three ODIs.

The batting coach admitted that Rohit had a tough Australia tour but stressed that the Indian opener is one of the legends of ODI cricket, so there is no need to worry about his form.

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Sitanshu Kotak defends Rohit Sharma's form with the bat

Kotak said at the presser, “See, I personally don't think there is any problem. In the last three one-dayers (before the series opener in Nagpur), Rohit scored 56, 64, and 35 (against Sri Lanka last year), nearly averaging 50-plus. We are talking about a player who has got 31 ODI hundreds. When he keeps scoring runs in back-to-back matches, nobody asks, 'When will he fail?'”