India’s Mohammed Shami bowls during their practice session ahead of their first Twenty20 match against England, in Kolkata. (AP)
After more than a year, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is set to play his first international match since his ankle injury when India faces England in the first T20I of the five-match series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. The Indian pacer had last played for India during the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad in 2023 and was sidelined for a year due to an ankle injury. The 34-year-old underwent surgery post-injury and has made a comeback to the Indian T20 as well as the ODI team.
“I waited for an entire year and I worked very hard. There was a sense of fear even while running about what will happen or what will not happen. It’s very difficult for any player to get injured when he is in full flow. Then go to the NCA for rehabilitation and make a comeback. When you go through injuries, I feel you grow stronger as an athlete. Because you have to repeat a lot of things while being mentally strong,” Shami told BCCI TV in an interview.
The Bengal pacer had missed key events for India, including last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia and the West Indies, and also missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia in recent months. Shami was the highest wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup with 24 wickets. Shami had made his comeback in domestic cricket while playing against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy last November.
India bowler Mohammad Shami with head coach Gautam Gambhir during a practice session ahead of the first T20 cricket match against England, at Eden Garden in Kolkata. (PTI)
The Indian pacer then played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bengal and then played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too in recent days, taking a three-wicket haul against Haryana in his last List A match before his comeback in the Indian team for the England series and the Champions Trophy. The pacer also talked about the tough times faced during the last one year.
“When you are scoring runs and taking wickets, everyone is with you. But the real test is to realize who is with you during your tough times. But that is the real test to see who is with you during your tough times and who is closer to you. Whatever is done, it is done. I have crossed that phase. If you work hard, then you will get results. That’s what I believe. When we are young, our parents teach us how to walk. We rise or fall, but we never give up learning how to walk. We should never give up that hunger. Even if we fall, we have to get up and walk again. The same applies to sports too. If you get injured, you have to make a comeback for your team and for your country. So fight and grow,” Shami said.
During the interview, the Indian pacer was also seen flying a kite from the hotel terrace in Kolkata and compared the balance needed in cricket to that of flying a kite. “It’s been a long while since I flew a kite. It must be around 15 years. I didn’t get a chance to fly a kite. I only had the ball in hand. I know how to fly a kite, how the balance should be. The balance is very important. Same like our cricket life. If you are set at the crease, you will score runs, and if you are set in bowling, you will take wickets. The rhythm is very important. Everything in life has a flow. Whatever it is, your fitness, mindset, and skill are important for bowling,” said Shami.
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