Watch: Mohammed Shami stuns everyone with batting masterclass after Virat Kohli & Co.'s SL ODIs horror show

Published - 09 Aug 2024, 11:02 AM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 07:31 AM

Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami (Image Credits: Twitter)

Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami is currently working hard to regain full fitness before making his comeback to the national cricket team. Mohammed Shami has resumed his training and shared his batting video from the practice session on his official Instagram account on Thursday, August 8.

Mohammed Shami has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India suffered a loss in the final. The right-arm pacer sustained an Achilles tendon injury during the ICC event. Shami underwent surgery and had to miss the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Watch: Mohammed Shami Shares Batting Practice Video on Instagram

Mohammed Shami is currently preparing for his return at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The 33-year-old cricketer shared a video on Instagram showcasing his batting practice. In the video, the right-handed batter played both defensive and lofted shots against a net bowler.

"When the bowler picks up a bat, expect the unexpected," Shami captioned the post.

Shami, known for his bowling prowess, has occasionally shown his batting skills in international cricket. Notably, he scored an unbeaten 56 runs against England at Lord's in 2021. Over his career, Shami has accumulated 750 Test runs at an average of 11.9 and 220 ODI runs at an average of 7.86.

Mohammed Shami To Play For India In Test Series vs Bangladesh

Mohammed Shami last played during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. The pacer was not included in the playing XI for the first four group matches but was recalled after Hardik Pandya???s injury. Shami made a significant impact by taking a five-wicket haul against New Zealand in his first game of the World Cup.

Hardik Pandya's injury didn't prove costly for India in the ICC ODI tournament. Shami ended as the top wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.71 and an economy rate of 5.26. He also took seven wickets in the semi-final. However, he did not receive the Player of the Series award.

The seasoned campaigner might return to action during the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home. The first Test match is set to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on September 19. India will play the second Test at the Green Park in Kanpur, starting on September 27.

Following the Test matches, India and Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series starting on October 6 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

During a ceremony with East Bengal Club in Kolkata, Shami expressed uncertainty about his exact comeback date. However, he hoped to play a few matches for Bengal before rejoining the Indian team. The veteran fast bowler stated that neither he nor the doctors anticipated the long recovery time needed.

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