Mohammed Shami's Impressive Return Sparks Caution From Bengal Legend Subhomoy Das For India Team

Mohammed Shami made a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket, showcasing his skills for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. His performance was pivotal in securing a thrilling 11-run victory for Bengal in Indore, a win that was crucial given their group standings.

Shami's return to the field came after a long hiatus of 360 days. His last game was the ICC World Cup 2023 final on November 19, 2023. Following that, he underwent surgery and an extensive rehabilitation period. A knee swelling delayed his return further by a month.

In the match, Shami took seven wickets across two innings, impressing everyone with his skill and determination. Former Bengal chief selector Subhomoy Das praised Shami's performance and shared insights from a conversation he had with the player during his recovery phase.

"I am so proud of the team and I am so proud of the players. Bengal needed him and Mohd. Shami was fantastic. He is an inspiration. We [Bengal] needed the victory so much as we lost points earlier due to rain," Das told MyKhel.

Das recalled Shami's words during his recovery in Bangalore: "When Mohd. Shamir was recovering from his injury in Bangalore, he told me that he wanted to play in a couple of matches for Bengal. And his words still reverberate in my ears, when he said, 'If I bowl, I will bowl with my 100 per cent and win Bengal matches'."

The BCCI selectors and medical staff were pleased with Shami's lengthy spell in the second innings. There are discussions about him joining the India team in Australia ahead of the second Test of the series. However, fitness and recovery remain key factors in determining his readiness for international play.

Subhomoy Das emphasized the importance of managing Shami's workload carefully: "Shami has bowled big spells, that's a massive positive. But it is important to protect Shami. He can't play the whole series. The India think tank will have to use him efficiently if he is picked."

"Performance is not an issue, but fitness is. When you are coming from a long-term injury, many factors determine the things. Recovery, and how the body permits will be a big factor. I believe Shami will target the 3rd Test match if he is added to the team, and India will benefit massively from him. But the most important thing is not to rush him to the India squad and integrate him slowly," Das concluded.

The cricketing world now waits to see how Shami's journey unfolds after this impressive return for Bengal. Meanwhile, India prepares for their first Test against Australia in Perth starting November 22.