Mohammed Shami still struggling with knee injury? Pacer limps back to dressing room after net session

As Team India gears up to take on England in the upcoming five-match T20I series, the focus is firmly on veteran fast-bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm pacer has made his much-awaited return to the Indian team for the forthcoming series.

He has not played for Team India since the 2023 World Cup final in November 2023. He played the World Cup with an ankle injury and went on to finish the competition as the highest wicket-taker. However, Mohammed Shami had to pay a big price for playing while carrying an injury as he had to undergo surgery and was sidelined for almost a year.

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He made his return to competitive cricket a couple of months ago and was also in contention to make it to the India squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the selectors decided against picking him in the Test squad before recalling him for the T20Is against England.

Mohammed Shami sweats it out:

He's BACK 💪🏻

Team India 🇮🇳
Mohd. Shami 😎
Eden Gardens 🏟️

Just perfect 👌🏻#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @MdShami11 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/PwCuEOcaDA

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami along with his India teammates underwent a grueling three-hour practice session on Sunday (January 19). Sporting heavy strapping on his left knee probably as a precautionary measure, the India pacer began his bowling practice by running in with short strides.

Later, he took part in a fielding drill as well to test his knee. And it did not take Mohammed Shami long to dispel all the apprehensions regarding his fitness as he bowled a fiery spell while taking a long run-up. According to a report in PTI, the fast-bowler bowled to the likes of Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma in the nets and troubled them with pace and bounce.

Mohammed Shami bowled at full steam for nearly 45 minutes without requiring assistance from the team's physiotherapist or strength and conditioning coach. After the bowling session, he was seen having a discussion with bowling coach Morne Morkel.

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Mohammed Shami limping:

While Mohammed Shami did not look in any discomfort while bowling in the nets, he did leave many worried by limping back to the dressing room. Later, he returned to the ground and was seen cautiously engaging with his old Bengal teammates while carefully managing his heavily strapped left knee.

Meanwhile, Shami has also been included in India's squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy. With Jasprit Bumrah not fully fit, a fit Shami is very important for Team India.

"I don't think his fitness was anything to do with white-ball cricket anyway. We were trying to get him to Australia," said chief selector Ajit Agarkar in the press conference while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.

"Unfortunately, his knee didn't allow him to play four-day or five-day cricket. With regards to white-ball, I think he has played most of the Syed Mushtaq Ali games and some of the Vijay Hazare games."