IND vs AUS: Fit-Again Mohammed Shami Likely to Join India Squad After Adelaide Test?

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Mohammed Shami made his much-awaited return to competitive cricket after almost a year and the speedster could be well in line for a Team India return during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shami, who was out of the action since last year's ODI World Cup due to injury, announced his return in style, claiming four wickets in Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.

The 34-year-old had taken to social media after making his comeback, saying he his back stonger and hungrier, and wants to make the season an unforgettable one.

"Finally, the wait is over! After 360 days, I'm back on the field, stronger, and hungrier. 4 wickets for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and this is just the start. Every delivery, and every wicket is dedicated to You, my incredible fans. Your love fuels my passion. Let's make this season unforgettable!" Shami wrote on Instagram.

With his return to domestic cricket, Shami will be eyeing a comeback to the Indian Cricket Team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and also in franchise cricket, Indian Premier League in 2025.

If included in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad later, Shami's return would be a huge boost to India, which is taking quite an inexperienced bowling group Down Under, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the attack alongside a newer crop of pacers.

Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep have been added to the squad as part of the pace attack. Shami's fine record in Australia of 31 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 32.16, with best figures of 6/56 is something one can't ignore if the pacer proves his fitness.

While he wasn't picked in the Indian squad for the tour Down Under, Shami's addition will bring major boost to Team India as his partnership with Bumrah and Siraj could rattle the Australian batting order.

Even former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels Shami's absence will be a 'huge loss' for India in the upcoming 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) starting on November 22 in Perth.

"Shami's been one of the leading fast bowlers in the world for the last few years, and mainly with the red ball. His ODI record's been very good, but what he's been able to do home and away with the red ball in Test cricket has been quite phenomenal," Ponting said in a video shared by the ICC on Instagram.

Although his return to the Indian team is not officially confirmed, Shami's childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin is hopeful that the speedster is added to the squad from the Brisbane Test.

"He will be joining the Indian team after the Adelaide (second) Test. Now that he is back, proved his fitness, picked up wickets, he will be crucial for the team in the second half of the tour," Badruddin was quoted as saying in Indian Express.