KOLKATA: Mohammed Shami's return to competitive cricket got delayed further as his name did not feature in the Bengal squad for their next two Ranji Trophy matches.
Coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla hoped to get the service of the India pacer for the side's two away matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. The BCCI too wanted the pacer to play for Bengal first, where his fitness would be assessed.
The 34-year-old fast bowler has been out of action since the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an Achilles heel injury which made him go under the knives in February this year.
After months of rehabilitation, Shami announced that he is "100% pain-free" and stated that he bowled with a full run-up at the Chinnaswamy Stadium after the conclusion of the first Test between India and New Zealand. Although Shami's name went missing from the India squad for the upcoming Australia tour, many believed a fit-again Shami would be accommodated in the side at a later stage of the Test series.
"It's better that I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia. I don't know when I can play next, but the day I feel comfortable bowling 20-30 overs and get the nod from the doctors, I'll make a run to play a match," Shami had said.
It seems Shami is yet to reach that condition.