India captain Rohit Sharma has criticized the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for failing to provide clear updates on fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s fitness. Rohit’s concerns arose after the Gabba Test, where he highlighted the difficulty in planning Shami’s return to the Indian team without proper communication from the NCA.
Shami’s delayed return and ongoing concerns
Mohammed Shami was slated to make a comeback after his Achilles heel surgery earlier this year. He was expected to feature in the home Test series against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, recurring knee swelling during his rehabilitation delayed his return, ruling him out of India’s squad for the ongoing series.
Rohit Sharma’s frustration
In a post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma emphasized the need for transparency from the NCA, especially concerning a senior player like Shami. Rohit stated:
“I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talked about him. That’s our national cricket academy where he is rehabbing. Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update. The last thing you want is the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game.”
Rohit further clarified that Shami would not be rushed back into the squad until he is fully fit:
“There’s no way we want to take that chance unless we are 200 percent sure. If those guys at the NCA feel that he’s okay and recovered, I’ll be happy to have him.”
Shami’s domestic return and injury status
Shami recently played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and is set to feature for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Despite bowling 43 overs in a Ranji Trophy game without discomfort, reports suggest he continues to face swelling in his knee. The Indian management is cautious about risking his fitness, especially in the twilight of his career.
Shami’s injury timeline
- February 2024: Underwent surgery on his Achilles heel.
- Missed tournaments: IPL 2024 and T20 World Cup 2024.
- Last international match: ODI World Cup final in November 2023.
The 34-year-old pacer remains unlikely to feature in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but is aiming to regain full fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
With Rohit Sharma seeking clarity and Shami continuing to recover, the Indian team management remains cautious about his return to international cricket.