NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami will be rested for Bengal’s opening match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Delhi on Saturday in Hyderabad. The Cricket Association of Bengal announced this decision on Thursday.
Shami, who last represented India in the 2023 ODI World Cup, recently returned to domestic cricket after undergoing ankle surgery and a lengthy injury layoff.
He has been recuperating at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
While Shami made an impressive comeback, taking seven wickets to help Bengal secure their first win of the Ranji Trophy season, and nine wickets in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, concerns remain about swelling in his knee, which surfaced during the domestic T20 competition.
After the drawn third Test in Brisbane, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed frustration when persistently asked about an update on Shami’s availability, stating, “I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talks about him, where he is rehabbing… Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update.”
Rohit further added, “I understand he’s playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well. We won’t take any risks unless we are 200% sure about his fitness.”
Shami’s participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is seen as a crucial step in determining his availability for upcoming international assignments, including the Champions Trophy. Seamer Mukesh Kumar, who was part of the bowling reserves in Australia, is also part of the Sudip Kumar Gharami-led Bengal squad.
The decision to rest Shami for the opening match highlights the cautious approach being taken by the team management and the Cricket Association of Bengal to ensure the veteran pacer’s full recovery and fitness before considering him for national team selection.