Indian cricket is looking forward to the return of Mohammed Shami. After a hiatus of 14 months since his last international appearance for India on November 19, 2023, Shami is set to bowl his first over in national colors during the first T20I against England in Kolkata. Initially anticipated to recover from his ankle surgery and subsequent rehabilitation by October of the previous year, Shami missed India's home Test season as well as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the Indian pacer is back in action and was observed putting in significant effort during the team's initial practice session at Eden Gardens.

Nevertheless, Shami appears to be struggling to find his rhythm. His former Bengal teammate, Anustup Majumdar, believes that the Indian fast bowler may require some time to fully regain his form, using his performances in the 2019 and 2013 World Cups as benchmarks. In the 2019 tournament, Shami was India's second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 14 wickets, and he surpassed that achievement in 2015 with a total of 24 wickets. Given his absence from high-level cricket, it is evident that Shami cannot immediately reach peak performance. However, Majumdar's message to Shami is unequivocal: "Even if you are not at full capacity right now, the upcoming England white-ball series could serve as a crucial test that Shami can excel in."

"The name Shami carries weight on its own. There was a significant interval between his first Ranji Trophy match last year in November and the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana in the New Year. His bowling has shown improvement during these games. I noticed an increase in his pace, and he is delivering sharper lengths. Physically, he appears to be in excellent condition with a lean physique. The delivery that dismissed Rajat Patidar in the Ranji match in Indore was a testament to his class," Majumdar stated in an interview with SportsBoom.com.

'Shami not bowling full throttle yet'

It appears that the level of intensity we have come to expect from Shami, as demonstrated during the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, may require some time to return. He has a window of opportunity before the Champions Trophy to regain his form and fitness, with the upcoming series against England being particularly significant. It is important to recognize that Shami possesses a unique bowling style characterized by his line, length, swing, and pace, setting him apart from his peers.

The eight matches leading up to the Champions Trophy could prove pivotal for Shami's career. With doubts regarding Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the ICC 50-over tournament, the responsibility to lead India's bowling attack will likely rest on Shami's shoulders. The pace attack appears somewhat diminished, and should Bumrah be unavailable while Shami struggles to find his rhythm, the burden will shift to the young Arshdeep Singh. Therefore, it is crucial for Shami to quickly regain his form and perform at his highest level.

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