Senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is poised to make a much-anticipated comeback to the national team for the forthcoming white-ball series against England and potentially for the 2024 Champions Trophy, as reported by Cricbuzz. Shami has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup final in November due to surgery on his right heel, but he has recently resumed playing white-ball cricket.

His return is dependent on approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the National Cricket Academy (NCA), although the report indicates that he is nearing full fitness and is prepared to rejoin the international squad.

The NCA's medical team has been closely monitoring Shami's recovery, ensuring he adheres to a stringent rehabilitation regimen. Following his heel surgery, he made notable progress, although a temporary knee swelling hindered his participation in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Nevertheless, his recent performances for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy have been encouraging. Shami's upcoming pre-quarterfinal match against Haryana in Baroda will be scrutinized, with Indian selectors likely present to evaluate his readiness for the series against England.

The BCCI has confirmed that Shami is under continuous observation, with NCA physiotherapists accompanying him at various domestic matches. This was particularly evident during his involvement in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Rajkot, and more recently, an NCA physiotherapist was seen supervising both Shami and Hardik Pandya in Hyderabad.

Initial indications from Shami's domestic performances suggest that his bowling has not been adversely affected by his injury, showing no significant signs of discomfort. While his return to the Indian team awaits final confirmation from the NCA, the report expresses a sense of optimism regarding his readiness.

The selectors are expected to make their final decision based on Shami's performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout stages, and if all proceeds favourably, he may be included in India's squad for both the England series and the Champions Trophy later this year.

Akash Deep is likely out of England ODIs

In contrast, pacer Akash Deep, who had been part of India’s squad during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is unlikely to feature in the white-ball series against England. Akash Deep missed the fifth Test at the SCG due to back pain and is expected to remain sidelined for at least a month.

He will report to the NCA’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation once he returns to India.

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