New Delhi, 9 January : There are growing expectations that experienced fast bowler Mohammad Shami could make a return to the Indian team for the upcoming series against England and potentially the Champions Trophy. The 33-year-old, who has been out since the 2023 World Cup final, has recently resumed playing white-ball cricket, increasing the likelihood of his availability for India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Shami’s recovery is being closely monitored by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team. Shami had undergone surgery for his right heel, and while it has healed, there is still some mild swelling in his knee, which ruled him out for the later stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, Shami has been actively playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal and is set to play in the pre-quarter-final against Haryana in Baroda later this week.
The BCCI has also stated that Shami has been under continuous supervision by the NCA team, with at least one NCA physiotherapist or trainer accompanying him wherever he plays. In Rajkot, where Shami participated in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was accompanied by a team physiotherapist. Similarly, in Hyderabad, both Shami and Hardik Pandya were monitored by an NCA physiotherapist.
The selection committee is expected to closely evaluate Shami’s performance in the upcoming knockout matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Early indications suggest that Shami’s bowling is not affected by his recent injury, and he is largely trouble-free. However, his return to the Indian squad will depend on the NCA’s final approval.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Aakash Deep, who missed the fifth and final Test against Australia due to back pain, is unlikely to feature in the upcoming white-ball series against England. He is expected to be out for at least a month, and upon returning to India, he will need to report to NCA in Bengaluru for further assessments. It is unlikely that Aakash Deep will be available for the five T20Is against England, which begin on 22 January in Kolkata.
Although Aakash Deep has yet to make his white-ball debut for India, his performance in recent months has shown improvement, and he was considered for selection, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, both Bumrah and Siraj are expected to miss the T20 series against England due to the workload from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they bowled over 150 overs combined. The fast bowlers need rest to ensure their availability for future commitments, particularly the Champions Trophy.
As for Bumrah, his situation remains uncertain, with selectors awaiting reports from NCA managers. The hope is that Bumrah will be fit for the Champions Trophy (19 February–9 March), but his recent back spasms during the Sydney Test, which led to him being unable to bowl in the second innings, have raised concerns. Bumrah will need clearance from the NCA before he can resume playing.
Selectors are expected to meet around 12 January, ahead of the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM), to announce a provisional squad for the England series and the Champions Trophy. England will play five T20Is and three ODIs from 22 January to 12 February.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
