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Shami To Audition For Test Comeback In Duleep Trophy; BCCI To Monitor Form And Fitness: Report

Debashis Sarangi

Mohammed Shami in action [Source: AFP]Mohammed Shami in action [Source: AFP]

According to emerging reports, Mohammed Shami will play East Zone's first Duleep Trophy encounter against North Zone. This will be Shami's first-ever appearance in red-ball cricket after the Ranji Trophy encounter between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh in November last year. 

Shami's Test Dream Alive; Performance In Duleep Trophy Is Key

Mohammed Shami has been a genuine match-winner for India across all three formats of the game. The fast bowler played a pivotal role in powering India to the 2023 World Cup final with a string of extraordinary performances. 

However, an ankle injury sidelined him from action for a significant period, as he went on to miss India's several major red-ball assignments. Although the fast bowler practised hard to get into India's squad for the England tour, his fitness issues were the reason why the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI men's selection committee ignored him for the away series, reported The Telegraph. 

The report quoted a BCCI source, who stated that the board would monitor Shami's fitness in the upcoming Duleep Trophy matches before drawing a conclusion regarding his Test future. 

Although he is set to feature in the quarter-final against North Zone, the BCCI wants to see if Shami's body will allow him to participate in the semifinals, provided the East Zone qualifies for the same.

“If Shami comes up with an impact-making performance against North Zone, the selectors will certainly take notice because his quality cannot be ruled out. But what we need to see is whether he’ll play even if East Zone clear the quarter-final stage and continue to make progress. Will his body permit, given his dodgy knee and hamstring?," a BCCI insider told The Telegraph.
"How Shami fares in this Duleep Trophy will present a clearer picture of the prospects of his Test comeback. But one also needs to know if Shami himself is keen on making a comeback in the longest format,” he added. 

Shami has enjoyed stellar success in Tests, scalping 229 wickets in 64 matches at an average of 27.7 and a strike rate of 50.3. However, if he fails to convince the selectors with his fitness standards, the pacer might not be recalled, with India aiming to revamp their team in Test cricket.