Mohammed Shami Primed For England Series Return As Akash Deep Gets Ruled Out

Mohammed Shami eyes England series return after Akash Deep gets ruled out due to injury [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Mohammed Shami is on the verge of a much-awaited return to international cricket. Sidelined since the World Cup final in November 2023 due to a right heel injury, Shami has been working on his recovery and is now expected to be available for selection in the upcoming white-ball series against England.  

As per a Cricbuzz report, the Indian pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against England due to a back injury and will be potentially unavailable for at least a month, paving the way for Shami’s return to the international stage. 

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Akash Deep, Bumrah's Injury Scare Strengthen Shami's Comeback Prospects

Deep, who impressed in recent Test outings, will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, sidelining him for at least a month. The injury to Deep is a blow for Team India, as he was a strong contender for the T20I squad, particularly with senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj likely to be rested after their demanding workload during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Both Bumrah and Siraj bowled over 150 overs in the gruelling five-Test series and are expected to be preserved for key tournaments, including the Champions Trophy. This development has shifted the spotlight onto Mohammed Shami who has shown steady progress in his rehabilitation and recently returned to competitive cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal.

Shami Shows Promise In Domestic Games

Shami’s performances in the domestic tournament have been promising, and he is set to feature in Bengal’s pre-quarterfinal clash against Haryana in Baroda on Thursday. This match will serve as another key assessment of his form and fitness ahead of his potential inclusion in India’s squad for the England series.

The BCCI has taken a cautious approach to Shami’s recovery, with the National Cricket Academy’s medical team closely monitoring his progress. Physiotherapists have accompanied him during matches to ensure his fitness is on track. Moreover, the selection committee is expected to attend the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches in Baroda to closely monitor Shami's performance. 

BCCI To Release Squads For Champions Trophy And England Series Soon

The Indian selection committee is expected to meet around the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting on January 12 to finalize the ODI and T20I squads for the England series. The meeting will also likely see the announcement of the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy, where Shami's prospects are also looking good.

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