NEW DELHI: In what would be a huge boost for Team India, pacer Mohammed Shami was spotted bowling on the center wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for nearly an hour following India’s defeat to New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday.
Shami engaged in an extensive bowling session with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Shami, who was dressed in a sleeveless black t-shirt and shorts, had his left knee strapped up as a precautionary measure.
He chose to bowl from around the wicket to the left-handed Nayar, focusing on maintaining a consistent line and length in the good length area.
Throughout the session, Shami showcased his rhythm and accuracy, occasionally surprising Nayar with well-directed bouncers. The experienced pacer seemed to be in good form as he fine-tuned his skills under the watchful eye of the assistant coach.
Shami also bowled to Shubman Gill with a slightly shortened run-up, while bowling coach Morne Morkel observed him closely.
Ahead of the first Test, skipper Rohit Sharma has all but ruled Mohammed Shami out of the upcoming Test tour of Australia, citing setbacks in his recovery from ankle surgery due to swelling in his knees. Rohit emphasized that it wouldn’t be wise to take an “undercooked” version of the pacer for such a high-profile series.
Shami last represented India in the ODI World Cup final last year and has been recovering from the ankle surgery since then.
“To be honest, right now, it’s pretty difficult for us to make a call on him, whether he’ll be fit for this series or Australia series. He recently had swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual,” Rohit told reporters here on the eve of the first Test against New Zealand.
“He was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100 per cent, he had swelling in his knee, that put him back a little bit in his recovery. So, he had to start again. Right now, he’s at NCA, he’s working with the physios and the doctors at NCA,” he added.