Bengal's journey in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy came to an abrupt end as they suffered a decisive defeat against Baroda in the quarterfinals held in Bengaluru. This result concluded the tournament for a Bengal team that had shown promise during the group stages. More significantly, it highlighted a somewhat underwhelming return for Mohammed Shami, who is striving to reintegrate into the Indian squad following an extended period of injury recovery.

After being sidelined for over a year due to surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup, Indian fans have been closely monitoring Shami's return, hoping he would regain fitness in time for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, his comeback has not unfolded as anticipated, with limited opportunities in the Ranji Trophy before the domestic season transitioned to the T20 format this month.

Shami's performance in the defeat to Baroda was disappointing, as he conceded 43 runs in his four overs. Throughout an inconsistent SMAT campaign, this marked the third occasion where his economy rate exceeded 10, indicating that he has yet to return to his peak form.

In terms of overall statistics, Shami's numbers are respectable but not reflective of his usual standards. Across nine matches, he claimed 11 wickets with a commendable economy of 7.85. Nevertheless, given Shami's reputation for taking wickets, a strike rate of 19.36 raises concerns. He appeared to lack the incisiveness for which he is well-known, even though opposing batsmen seemed to adopt a more cautious approach against him, as suggested by his economy rate.

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Shami appears to be unlikely to board a flight to Australia in the near future due to his recent performances, as concerns regarding his fitness persist. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) is expected to only permit his return to international play once they are confident he has fully recovered. Additionally, Shami has been included in Bengal’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is set to commence in the latter half of December, coinciding with the final stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Consequently, Shami may be excused from participating in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with an emphasis on improving his fitness through extended spells in domestic cricket. His sights are now likely set on making a comeback for the Champions Trophy scheduled for March 2025. Shami will be eager to regain his form in time for this important tournament.

Meanwhile, India continues its tour of Australia, aiming to recover at the Gabba in Brisbane, where a match is slated to begin on December 14. There are also concerns regarding the fitness of another key bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, which adds to the uncertainty.

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