As the deadline for the Champions Trophy squad selection approaches, reports indicate that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is back as a big boost for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Shami could not complete his fitness test before the Border-Gavaskar trophy, but it is said he will be a given for India’s ODI squad against England, and the Champions Trophy if the comeback goes to plans. Meanwhile, the return isn’t looking as likely for Shami to play the T20 side of India against England.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, Shami has either received full clearance from BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru by the Sports Science wing or would soon receive it so as to clear path for his return to the national team. Shami has been playing white-ball cricket for a while, having been part of the Vijay Hazare domestic one-day competition for Bengal. However, his last outing for India came at the ODI World Cup during October-November 2023.
Shami has been troubled with ankle injuries since then. He was very close to making it to Australia but because of some minor things in that regard, he was not deemed fully fit.
Also, the BCCI has sought an extension from the ICC regarding the announcement of India’s squad for the Champions Trophy. Nonetheless, the team for India’s T20I side for the England series is likely to be out soon.
BCCI’s requirements seem to extend much beyond that for the time required to finalize the roster for the tournament in Pakistan and UAE, even though ICC allows changes to be made one month after the provisional squad is announced.
Over the course of the upcoming weeks, England will host India for 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs starting on the 22nd of January. The team should also have 3 matches scheduled for the ODIs-on-the-clock, namely on February 6, 9, and 12, respectively.
