Despite growing concern about his fitness, seasoned India pacer Mohammed Shami declared on Monday that he is pain-free and still in contention for the blockbuster Test tour of Australia, which begins next month. Shami bowled at full power in the nets following India’s first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Sunday. This came a few days after skipper Rohit Sharma revealed that he had swelling in his knees, which hampered his recovery from an ankle injury he suffered last year. “I’m pleased with how I bowled yesterday. I was bowling from half run-up before that because I didn’t want to take on too much weight. But yesterday I decided to go full force. and I bowled at 100%,” the 34-year-old told reporters on the sidelines of a Eugenix Hair Sciences event where he discussed his cricketing career.
“The outcome was good. I am completely pain-free. Everyone has been asking for a long time whether I will be able to play in the Australia series, but it is still some time away,” he remarked, referring to the five-match series that begins on November 22 in Perth. Shami also stated that he would like to play a few Ranji Trophy matches for his state side, Bengal. Shami also stated that he would like to play a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for his state team, Bengal.
“The only thing on my mind is to guarantee that I am fit and powerful enough for the Australia series. I realize what kind of attack we require in Australia. “I need to spend more time on the ground,” he stated. Shami has not played for India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19, because to his ailment.