Mohammed Shami

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has expressed confidence in his recovery from a persistent Achilles heel injury, stating that he is now “100%” pain-free. The 34-year-old revealed that he recently bowled at full intensity in a training session and feels optimistic about his chances of making the squad for the upcoming Australia tour.

Shami, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup, has faced a series of setbacks in his rehabilitation. However, his recent progress has been encouraging. “I bowled with a full run-up yesterday and it felt great,” Shami said. “The results were encouraging, and hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon.”

While the Indian team management has been cautious about rushing Shami back into action, the pacer himself remains determined to prove his fitness. “I know everyone has been thinking about whether I will go to Australia or not, but that series is still far away,” he said. “The only thing I want to focus on is getting as strong as I can for the tour.”

Shami has indicated that he would prefer to play one or two domestic matches before heading to Australia to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenging conditions. “If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to ten days, then it’s better that I play one or two domestic matches before going,” he explained.

With the first Test between Australia and India scheduled to begin on November 22, Shami’s fitness will be crucial for India’s chances of success in the series.