Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is reportedly set for a domestic cricket comeback, named in Bengal’s list of 50 probables for the upcoming season after being dropped from the national Test squad.
Shami Eyes Duleep Trophy Return
After being left out of the Indian Test team for the crucial England tour, Mohammed Shami is now looking to regain his rhythm on the domestic circuit. Reports indicate he’s among the 50 players considered for Bengal’s squad for the upcoming season.
The seasoned fast bowler might feature for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, which is slated to begin on August 28. This tournament, returning to its traditional inter-zonal format, could mark Shami’s highly anticipated return to competitive cricket if he secures a spot in the zonal team.
The provisional list of Bengal players also includes other notable names like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Abishek Porel.
Why Was Shami Dropped?
Shami’s exclusion from the 18-player Indian squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy came as a surprise to many. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s medical team reportedly advised against his inclusion, citing concerns about his ability to bowl extended spells.
This concern stems from a significant ankle surgery Shami underwent in 2024, which kept him off the field for almost a year. While he made a comeback earlier this year in the T20 format and even impressed in the Champions Trophy as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker, his performance in IPL 2025 for Sunrisers Hyderabad was not up to his usual formidable standards.
A Year of Setbacks
The past year has been challenging for the 34-year-old pacer. Besides the recent Test squad snub, Shami also missed several key international assignments for India. These included the T20 World Cup in Australia last year and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in recent months.
Shami’s Road to Recovery
Reflecting on his recovery journey, Shami previously shared his struggles in an interview with BCCI TV. He spoke about the immense effort required and the mental hurdles he faced during rehabilitation.
“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,” Shami explained. “It’s very difficult for any player to get injured while he is in full flow. Then go to the NCA for rehabilitation and make a comeback.”
He further added, “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.”
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Shami has been named in Bengal’s 50 probables for the upcoming domestic season.
- He might make his comeback in the Duleep Trophy, starting August 28.
- Shami was dropped from the Indian Test squad due to concerns over his ability to bowl long spells after ankle surgery.
- He missed several key international tournaments over the past year due to injury.
Fans and selectors alike will be keenly watching Shami’s performance in domestic cricket, hoping he can regain his full fitness and form to once again spearhead India’s pace attack.
