With the Champions Trophy just a month away, the Indian cricket team is yet to announce its squad. However, reports indicate that Mohammed Shami is likely to make his return after recovering from a knee injury.
Shami has showcased impressive form in domestic cricket, taking 11 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and five wickets in three matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The right-arm pacer, who has been sidelined for over a year, is expected to rejoin the national team for the upcoming white-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy. Recently, Shami signaled his readiness by sharing a video of his net practice on social media.
In an interview with Anand Bazaar Patrika, Shami expressed optimism about his comeback, saying, "Everything is possible if the superior (God) wants." Reflecting on his challenging time away from the game, he added,
"For a player, the game is everything. Without it, life feels incomplete. How can I enjoy life if I can't pick up the ball? Life has been very difficult, that much I can say."
Shami also spoke about his motivation during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). “Playing for the country is motivation enough. I used to look at the India jersey every day during my rehab,” he said.
He credited his return to domestic cricket with Bengal for reigniting his passion, noting, “Playing for Bengal felt like going back to the early days. It gave me new energy and joy.”
Shami’s last international outing was during the ODI World Cup, where he emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 24 wickets and finishing as the tournament's highest wicket-taker. His return could provide a significant boost to India's pace attack in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.
Champions Trophy Squad Deadline
The ICC has instructed all participating teams to submit their provisional squad lists by Sunday, January 12. While England has already announced their squad, fans eagerly await other teams, including India, to reveal their selections.
