Shami is being closely monitored by the BCCI’s medical team and is reportedly required to drop weight and regain fitness.
According to reports, Mohammed Shami has less than a week to convince selectors to pick him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shami, who has only recently returned to competitive cricket after a protracted period on the sidelines due to injury, is said to be closely monitored by the BCCI’s medical team. Shami, who impressed in his maiden Ranji Trophy encounter back for Bengal, would be evaluated on a couple Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 games. It is also said that Shami has to shed weight and recover his fitness.
“What one needs to see is when he can let go of his reliance on the BCCI’s medical team, which treats him after each spell he bowls,” stated a BCCI insider, as published by The Times of India on November 22.
“The medical team believes he will lose weight as he continues to play matches, which will help him improve endurance. Since the Ranji Trophy leg has concluded, the first round of SMAT matches has been used as a temporary yardstick,” the source added.According to the article, Shami’s training and recovery routine would be overseen by BCCI head of sports science Nitin Patel and National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer Nishant Bordoloi while he is with the Bengal team.
According to the source, Shami’s SMAT matches began on November 23, giving him ten days to show his fitness.
According to the report, Shami may not be pushed back to cricket in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy in February.”Bowling two-over spells in T20 matches in SMAT is not the optimal parameter. Maintaining intensity in a high-profile Test series is a different ball game. If he passes the SMAT test, he may be sent to train with Team India, but playing him would be a wise decision. “The selectors are also concerned about the Champions Trophy in February,” the insider stated.
If Shami’s comeback goes as expected, he might play the third Test, which begins on December 14.In Shami’s absence, India performed admirably in the first Test at Perth. Jasprit Bumrah, the stand-in skipper and pace spearhead, claimed eight wickets, Mohammed Siraj five, and debutant Harshit Rana four as India triumphed by 295 runs.
