Is Mohammed Shami still struggling with a knee injury? Pacer limps back to the locker room after the net session

As Team India prepares to take on England in the upcoming five-match T20I series, the spotlight is firmly on veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm pacer has made his long-awaited return to the Indian team for the upcoming series.

He has not played for the Indian team since the 2023 World Cup final in November 2023. He played the World Cup with an ankle injury and finished the competition as the top wicket-taker. However, Mohammed Shami had to pay a heavy price for playing while carrying an injury as he had to undergo surgery and was sidelined for almost a year.

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He returned to competitive cricket a couple of months ago and also struggled to make the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the selectors decided not to pick him in the Test squad before calling him up for the T20Is against England.

Mohammed Shami makes it sweat:

IT IS BACK 💪🏻

Team India 🇮🇳
Mohd. Shami 😎
Eden Gardens 🏟️

Simply perfect 👌🏻#TeamIndia | #INVENTION | @MdShami11 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/PwCuEOcaDA

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami along with his India teammates underwent a grueling three-hour training session on Sunday (January 19). Sporting strong straps on his left knee probably as a precautionary measure, the Indian pacer began his bowling practice by running with short strides.

Later, he also took part in a field drill to test his knee. And it didn’t take long for Mohammed Shami to dispel all apprehensions about his fitness as he bowled a fiery spell while making a long run. According to a report in PTI, the fast bowler bowled the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma in the nets and troubled them with pace and bounce.

Mohammed Shami played at full steam for almost 45 minutes without the help of the team physio or the strength and conditioning coach. After the bowling session, he was seen arguing with bowling coach Morne Morkel.

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Mohammed Shami limping:

While Mohammed Shami didn’t look uncomfortable while bowling in the nets, he did leave many worried by limping back to the dressing room. Later, he returned to the ground and was seen cautiously interacting with his former Bengal teammates as he carefully managed his heavily bandaged left knee.

Meanwhile, Shami has also been included in India’s squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy. With Jasprit Bumrah not fully fit, a fit Shami is very important for the Indian team.

“Anyway I don’t think his fitness has anything to do with white-ball cricket. We were trying to get him to Australia,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar told the press conference while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.

“Unfortunately, his knee did not allow him to play four- or five-day cricket. In terms of white ball, I think he has played most of Syed Mushtaq Ali’s games and some of Vijay Hazare’s.”