Mohammad Shami to miss New Zealand Tests; comeback on India tour of Australia 2024/25 - Sources

Contrary to reports and hopes, Mohammad Shami won’t regain full fitness for the three-Test series versus New Zealand at home starting October 16. The India fast bowler is likely to make his comeback during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia later this year, Sportskeeda has learnt.

Shami underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon, in the UK in February this year. He has since been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The 34-year-old hasn’t played any cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup, thus missing out on India's victorious campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. He played through pain, relying on injections, in the 50-over quadrennial event which ended on November 19.

Chances of him recovering in time for the two Tests against Bangladesh beginning September 19, were always slim. But people in the BCCI corridors were hopeful of him partaking against the Black Caps.

Sources close to Shami informed Sportskeeda that the Bengal pacer won't be available for the New Zealand series - not even the last rubber which starts on November 1. He is most likely to return to the Indian setup for the big-ticket five-match series against the Aussies. The first Test commences on November 22 in Perth. Life will, in a way, come full circle for him. It was during the 2020/21 BGT that he had his right forearm fractured while batting in the infamous Adelaide Test in which India were bundled out for 36.

He will, however, play at least a couple of matches in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. It is further learnt that his participation will be subject to clearance from the NCA. The Gujarat Titans speedster is yet to receive the fitness certificate.

India’s premier red-ball competition will be held in two phases this season. Starting October 11, every team will play five games, with the last one scheduled on November 13. So Shami can pick and choose any of the two matches, if not more. The second half will resume on January 23.

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How did Mohammad Shami perform at the 2023 ODI World Cup?

Mohammad Shami wasn't initially in the reckoning for a slot in the playing XI. He warmed the bench in the first four matches. It was only after all-rounder Hardik Pandya got injured against Bangladesh, that Shami got a look-in.

And he hit the ground running, taking five for 54 versus New Zealand in Dharamsala. He followed it up with four for 22 against England, which included a sensational burst of 10 successive dots to Ben Stokes before eventually castling him. It only got better - another five-wicket haul (five for 18), Sri Lanka the prey this time. He went on to shatter the record for the best ODI bowling figures by an Indian, returning seven for 57 in a nervy semifinal against the Kiwis.

With 24 scalps in just seven matches, Mohammad Shami finished as the highest wicket-taker of the World Cup. There were two astounding facts: he went wicketless against the Netherlands; the final was the only match in which he took the new ball.