Latest Cricket News

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel recently shed light on the potential return of Mohammed Shami to international cricket, specifically for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, set to begin on Friday, November 22.

At a press conference on November 20, Morkel expressed his excitement over Shami’s return to competitive cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, describing it as a "massive win" for the Indian team. Shami had been sidelined for almost a year following his injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. The recovery process was further complicated by a knee issue that emerged during his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, delaying his return.

However, the seasoned pacer made an impressive comeback in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, where he claimed seven wickets in Bengal’s group match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Shami is also set to feature in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, beginning November 23, marking a significant step towards regaining full match fitness.

While there has been speculation about Shami’s inclusion in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Morkel remained cautious, refraining from confirming any immediate return to the Test side. The bowling coach emphasized the importance of supporting Shami’s return to full fitness before considering his role in the five-match Test series in Australia.

Morne Morkel acknowledged Shami’s immense value to the team, praising his world-class skills and ability to swing the ball at pace, which makes him a potential match-winner across formats. However, he stressed the need to provide Shami with the right environment to regain his rhythm and confidence. "We are keeping a close eye on Shami," Morkel said. "He has been out for a year. It’s a massive win for us that he is back playing. Our focus now is on giving him the best possible support to find his feet again."

Despite Shami’s strong performance in the domestic circuit, the Indian selectors are reportedly hesitant to rush his return to the Test team. While the selectors are keen to have him travel with the squad to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar series, the team management feels it would be premature to include Shami in the Test lineup without more match practice. Morkel’s comments further suggest that Shami's inclusion in the upcoming Test series is not yet on the cards.

The Indian team management has expressed the desire for Shami to play more domestic cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges ahead. Shami, along with Shahbaz Ahmed, is one of the few international players named in Bengal’s squad for the T20 competition.

Though Shami’s immediate future in the Test series remains uncertain, he still has a strong chance of being included in the squad for the Australia tour, contingent on his performances in the domestic games and the continued progress of his recovery.