Mohammed Shami hopes to make comeback for third Test

03/05/2017

Mohammed Shami is eyeing a comeback into the national team for the third Test of the ongoing series by playing Bengal's Vijay Hazare match against Gujarat at Chepauk on Monday. Shami had sustained a knee injury during India's third Test against England and has been out of the team since then.

The 26-year-old, who has joined the Bengal team for its last league encounter against defending champions Gujarat, sounded confident of playing the third Test, which begins on 16th March at Ranchi.

"I am eagerly looking at making a comeback to the Test side. I wanted to test my fitness level and so I am here. It also gives me a chance to play for my state-side for the first time this season," Shami said, reported the Times of India.

Shami added that he is not feeling any discomfort in his knee and is ready to play the last league game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

"I am feeling good. But then, when you are playing your first match after injury, you might feel a bit of discomfort. So I will need to see how I feel when I give my 100 percent. I was also practising with the Indian team when I was at the NCA last week. I had a chat with (coach) Anil Kumble and he seemed happy with my fitness. But he too had asked me to play a match before my body can take the grind of a Test match," said Shami.

Shami sustained a knee injury during India's third Test against England in Mohali last November. The pacer was dealt a big blow with the death of his father.

On being asked about his return to international cricket, Shami became emotional and said, "I was a bit down emotionally. My father had a big influence on my life. It was never easy for me to make it big in cricket. But then, my father had sacrificed a lot for my career. My rehabilitation took a bit of time because of my father's death. I couldn't do my recovery for almost a month. But I am feeling quite fit now and I would like to see if I feel the same after the first match".

The pacer has been in and out of the national team since the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup due to his continuous struggles with injuries. Shami said the injuries have made him mentally stronger.

"In international cricket, pacers have always taken more workload than the spinners. So there are no complaints. I have now learnt how to deal with it. These injuries make me mentally stronger. It increases the hunger in me to return to the field as a better bowler. I also keep analysing my bowling when I am out. I know that I am in the team because I have to fulfill a certain responsibility. So even though, I have sustained two big injuries on both my knees, I will again give my 100 percent when I take the field," Shami said.

Mohammed Shami hopes to make comeback for third Test

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