Mohammed Shami Trains Hard Before Chennai Match: Will He Make the 2nd T20 Playing XI?

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami sweated it out for nearly an hour during the Indian team’s net session here on Friday but there was no clarity on his much-awaited return to top-level cricket.

Shami, who last played for India in the 2023 World Cup final, worked hard to get back into the bowling rhythm at Chepauk but never looked at his top level, with batsmen finding it difficult to face him.

Shami was expected to be included in the playing XI during India’s first T20I against England in Kolkata on Wednesday but the management decided to postpone his return. Like at Eden Gardens, Shami was actively present during the net session here as well. He started with a light jogging session with assistant coach Abhishek Nair.

The 34-year-old pacer then took part in throwing drills for a few minutes with fielding coach T Dilip before heading to the bowling nets close to the Madras Cricket Club stand. Shami was heavily bandaged on both his legs. He started with a short run-up and then bowled at a decent pace. After bowling a few balls with a short run-up, Shami started bowling with a full run-up but his attitude and bowling lacked complete ease.

His ball hit the lower part of the stumps on a few occasions while bowling coach Morne Morkel was watching him closely while playing the role of wicketkeeper. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh also bowled at the nets along with Shami but the Punjab player was fast and accurate. Bengal fast bowler Shami then took a few minutes break to talk to Morkel and head coach Gautam Gambhir. After this Shami returned to the nets to start bowling. Gradually his rhythm improved but he did not look in his old form.

This is quite surprising because Shami was selected in the Indian team for the series against England and the Champions Trophy after playing in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy. But he did not look in his best form here and initially did not bowl to any of his fellow batsmen who had gone out for training at the MAC ‘B’ ground.

Shami then bowled a few deliveries to Nitish Kumar Reddy, who returned to the main ground with Hardik Pandya. They then took part in fielding and catching drills.