Mohammed Shami, who was the hero of India's world cup team in Australia and New Zealand, talking 17 wickets, has been out of action ever since due to a knee injury. The India team have been missing the services of Shami, who is a quality bowler.
However, cricket fans in India can heave a sigh of relief as the fast bowler is set to play his first match after the world cup, having been picked in the Bengal squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"I am back after eight months, so I am taking it slow and easy. I am gearing up to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It will be a good preparation going into the limited overs series against Australia," PTI quoted Shami as saying.
This news will also please India selectors ahead of the crucial ODI series against Australia down under in January. The bowler should make it to the India team for the series.
India will want Shami to use the Australia ODI series and the Vijay Hazare Trophy to get back in perfect competitive shape, with the upcoming World T20 set to be played in March in India. Shami, if fit, will play an important role in the competition at home in the T20 format.
Shami was also a part of the preparatory camp before the India-South Africa series, but could not find a spot in any format as he was not perfectly fit for a series of such stature.
Though Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are the two key bowlers for India in his absence, the bowling unit will look potent with Shami back in the line-up. With Shami expected to feature in the Australia series, the competition for the fast bowlers' spot will be tightly contested, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron also in the fray.
