Mohammed Shami has been absent from the cricket field since November this explains why Mohammed Shami is not playing currently, following an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup at home. This injury led to surgery in the United Kingdom in February, and Shami has since been recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
What Happened to Mohammed Shami, why Mohammed Shami is Not Playing?
Mohammed Shami recently shared an injury update on social media after being ruled out of the upcoming IPL 2024 season on March 13. Shami, who was a standout player for India during the ODI World Cup 2023, hasn’t played any matches since the tournament. He missed the South Africa tour and the Test series against England. Shami underwent heel surgery in February and is expected to be out for a while, which explains why Mohammed Shami is not playing currently.
Ankle Injury Healed, Mohammed Shami Prepares for Return
India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been steadily recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him since the ODI World Cup last November. As he nears full fitness, it’s expected that he will be ready to join India’s home season, starting with a Test series against Bangladesh in September.
The selectors are keeping a close eye on Shami’s progress and may require him to play at least one Duleep Trophy match, starting on September 5 in Anantapur, to prove his fitness. The injury is the reason why Mohammed Shami has not been playing recently.
Shami is currently wrapping up his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. After his surgery, he began bowling again last month and has gradually increased his workload without any pain.
Before India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July, chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Shami had resumed bowling and mentioned that the first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai is the target for his return.
Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo, “Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign. September 19 was always the goal for his comeback, but we’ll need to check with the NCA on his recovery timeline.”
Agarkar also highlighted the need for depth in the fast-bowling lineup due to the busy Test schedule ahead. He added, “With so many Tests coming up, depth is crucial. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj are key, but we’ll have discussions around it. There’s a lot of first-class cricket coming up to help build our bench strength.”
The reason why Mohammed Shami is not playing currently is due to his ongoing recovery from the ankle injury and subsequent surgery.
The Day Shami Made History, Showcasing His Patriotism
Mohammed Shami made history on Wednesday (Nov 15, 2023), recording the best-ever wicket haul by the Indian bowler in 50-over World Cup history.
Shami’s seven-wicket haul and Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 50th ODI century led India to a 70-run victory over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup semifinal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Shami took seven wickets for 57 runs off 9.5 overs at an economy rate of 5.79.
Shami’s incredible spell surpassed Ashish Nehra’s 6/23 against England in the 2003 World Cup, making it the best-ever performance by an Indian bowler in World Cup history. His figures are also the fifth-best overall in World Cup history, with Australia’s Glenn McGrath holding the top spot with his 7/15 against Namibia in 2003.
The experienced pacer, Mohammed Shami, achieved a significant milestone by reaching 50 World Cup wickets, becoming only the seventh bowler to do so. He set a new record by reaching this mark in just 17 innings, breaking Mitchell Starc’s (Australia) previous record of 19 innings.
In 17 matches, Shami has taken 54 wickets with an impressive average of 12.90, an economy rate slightly over 5, and a strike rate of 15.33. His best performance stands at 7/57, making him the sixth-highest wicket-taker in World Cup history.
The top wicket-taker in World Cup history remains Australia’s Glenn McGrath, who claimed 71 wickets in 39 matches throughout his World Cup career.
Mohammed Shami has been a remarkable asset to Indian cricket, demonstrating unwavering dedication and skill on the international stage. His incredible performance in the World Cup, highlighted by his historic seven-wicket haul, has cemented his place as one of India’s greatest bowlers. Shami’s achievements, including becoming the fastest to reach 50 World Cup wickets, showcase his extraordinary talent and commitment to the country. His contributions continue to inspire and elevate Indian cricket to new heights.
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