Mohammed Shami could make his return in Bangladesh Tests: Report

India are set to receive a huge shot in the arm ahead of the home Test season starting next month, as Mohammed Shami is reportedly in line to make his much-awaited comeback during the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19.

Shami has been out of action with an ankle injury since November last year.  His last professional game was the final of the 2023 World Cup against Australia in Ahmedabad. 

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the 33-year-old has been making ‘considerable progress’ in his recovery and is currently in the final stages of rehabilitation.

“The selectors have been apprised of Shami's progress and a decision on whether he should play at least one of the Duleep Trophy matches, beginning on September 5 in Anantapur, to prove his fitness will be taken soon,” the ESPNcricinfo report claimed.

Earlier this month, Shami had said that he was hoping to play a couple of games for Bengal to build his fitness before donning the Indian jersey.

“I can’t commit to any time frame for my comeback. I am working hard on my match fitness, but hopefully, I will compete for Bengal before I don Team India’s jersey. I will play 2-3 matches for Bengal,” Shami said during his felicitation ceremony by the East Bengal Club in Kolkata.

In the same event, the Uttar Pradesh born revealed that his initial plan was to have surgery after the T20 World Cup 2024, but the severity of the injury forced him to alter his plans.

“I never thought that my injury was serious. The plan was to start the treatment after the IPL and the T20 World Cup."

“But my condition turned bad during the ODI World Cup and I thought of starting the treatment at the earliest. Even the doctors were surprised to see the seriousness of my ankle injury," the speedster informed. 

India are scheduled to play nine Tests until the end of the year. The two-Test series against Bangladesh will be followed by a three-match series against New Zealand. India will then travel to Australia in November for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

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