India Receive Major Boost Ahead Of BGT, NCA Clears Star Pacer's Return To Competitive Cricket

Mohammed Shami, a Premier India pacer, will make his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after nearly a year with Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore beginning Wednesday, according to the Cricket Association of Bengal.

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Team India's Biggest Pace Bowling Asset Set To Return to Action In Domestic Cricket  

Team India pacer Mohammad Shami is all set to make his much-awaited return to international and competitive cricket after nearly a year. Shami will be back with his domestic side Bengal when they will face off against Madhya Pradesh. 

"In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Mohammad Shami will make a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday," Naresh Ojha, honorary secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, said in a statement.

Ojha added that Shami will lead the Bengal pace bowling unit, and the Indian think tank in Australia will closely monitor Shami's performance.

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There was much speculation about Shami's inclusion in the Indian squad for the tour of Australia, but skipper Rohit Sharma dismissed the idea, stating that he would not take an "undercooked" senior pacer down under. The pacer concentrated on regaining peak fitness at the NCA, and he also bowled at full tilt at the nets while India bowling coach Morne Morkel kept a close eye.

Shami, who has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup final on November 19 due to an ankle injury and subsequent surgery, will look to demonstrate his fitness in a live match after undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The return of Shami could be seen as a huge boost to the Bengal Ranji side and the Indian Cricket Team, who will take part in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 

In his absence, India has opted for a largely untested pace attack for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with rookies such as Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna backing senior pros Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

[With PTI Inputs]