Kolkata: Missing the bus for the Border-Gavaskar series Down Under, Mohammed Shami will be keen to make the India squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The pacer, who was sidelined for almost a year after the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, returned to action for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy bowling 43 overs in the match against Madhya Pradesh and then played all nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches. However, another setback saw the bowler not being considered to fly out to Australia.
"His left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period," a BCCI statement said recently. "Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," it added.
Shami missed four Hazare matches before rejoining the side for Bengal's match against Bihar. Now all eyes will once again be on the pacer when he will lead Bengal's attack against Haryana in the pre-quarterfinal in Vadodara on Thursday. It was learnt that the 34-year-old pacer is in line to be picked for the Champions Trophy match, the squad for which is likely to be announced soon. However, it is still not certain when Shami will be in the side for the upcoming white-ball series against England at home later this year.