NEW DELHI: The return of Mohammed Shami after injury for the England white-ball series and the Champions Trophy was eagerly awaited by the Indian team management.
Shami’s return and his bowling in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah gives the Indian pace attack an all-together different look.
On Sunday, Shami reported for his first practice session at his home ground Eden Gardens in Kolkata where the first T20I against England is scheduled to be played on Wednesday.
On Monday, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video of how Shami went about the practice session.
The video. titled ‘Back on track’ first has Shami boarding the team bus and reaching the Eden at 4:15 PM.
The video shows Shami first meeting India bowling coach Morne Morkel who embraces him in a warm hug.
At 4:30 PM, after a brief interaction with his India teammates, Shami loosens up with some warm-up exercises and then bowls a couple of deliveries without any run-up with his troubled left knee still strapped heavily.
At 5:05 PM, Shami slowly gets into rhythm and warms up to bowl with a very short run-up with the cap still on and then without the cap after a few deliveries.
Shami then has a quick discussion with Morkel about the ball and the grip and then at 5:23 PM makes his mark to bowl full tilt.
The video then shows Shami bowling full throttle from round the wicket at 6:12 PM as his India teammates and the think tank watch him keenly.
While bowling full tilt, Shami shows no discomfort much to the relief of the India think tank as he walks away while having a word with Hardik Pandya.
At 6:36 PM, as the practice session comes to an end, Shami goes to the stands and signs some autographs for the fans, before walking off.
Shami also took to his official Instagram handle and posted, “All set Ready to make you all proud once again.. keep your love support.”
Shami, returning to the national fold after more than a year following injury and prolonged rehabilitation, last played for India in the ODI World Cup, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets from 7 matches.