Mohammed Shami’s much-anticipated return to the Indian Test team for the Australia series has been postponed due to ongoing fitness concerns. The seasoned pacer, who has been playing for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), is currently recovering from a swollen knee, which has raised doubts about his ability to handle the physical demands of Test cricket. Although there was hope that he could join the team for the final two matches of the series, his recovery process has not yet reached the required level.
After India’s pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide, captain Rohit Sharma addressed questions about Shami’s fitness. He clarified that while the door remains open for Shami to join the squad, there is no set timeline for his return. “We want him to be more than 100% ready before he comes back. It has been a long time since he played at this level, and we don’t want to rush him. The professionals monitoring his recovery will guide us, and the decision will be made based on their assessment,” Rohit explained.
Reports indicate that Shami recently underwent a fitness test, which confirmed that he is not yet ready for five-day cricket. Despite showing glimpses of his form in Bengal’s SMAT games, where he has been bowling four-over spells, the demands of bowling longer spells in the red-ball format are a concern. His upcoming SMAT quarterfinal against Baroda will provide another opportunity to assess his fitness and determine whether his knee issues have improved.
This situation arises at a critical time for the Indian team, which is in urgent need of experienced bowling reinforcements in Australia. Shami’s skill and experience would be invaluable in the series, but the management is cautious about risking his long-term fitness. While he has played consistently in domestic games since returning to competitive cricket, including Bengal’s Ranji Trophy matches, the question remains whether he can sustain the intensity required in international Test cricket.
For now, Shami’s travel plans to Australia remain on hold. The team management is focused on ensuring he is fully fit before being brought back into the squad. His return will depend on how well he performs and recovers in the coming weeks, with the hope that he can make a strong comeback when the time is right