After his memorable outing in the ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19, 2023, Mohammed Shami is gearing up for a return to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. Recently, Shami dismissed rumors suggesting he would be out for six to eight more weeks, confirming that his rehabilitation is on track.
Shami’s Road to Recovery
The experienced Indian pacer underwent ankle surgery in the UK earlier this year, following his injury in November. After working on his rehabilitation at the newly inaugurated BCCI Centre of Excellence (also known as the new NCA), Shami has been making steady progress. A senior BCCI official confirmed to the Times of India that Shami is under the watchful care of specialists and is targeting the Test series against New Zealand as a realistic goal for his return.
Initially, there was speculation that Shami could be fit for the Bangladesh Test series, which India won 2-0. However, his focus has shifted to being fully fit for the New Zealand series.
IND vs NZ Test Series Schedule
The series against New Zealand will be crucial as India aims to continue their strong performance in Tests. Below is the schedule for the three-match series:
| Test | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Oct 16-20 | Bengaluru |
| 2nd | Oct 24-28 | Pune |
| 3rd | Nov 1-5 | Mumbai |
Shami’s return will be a significant boost to the Indian pace attack as they take on New Zealand later this month. His recent dismissal of rumors and confirmation of his progress indicate his eagerness to return to competitive cricket and contribute to India’s Test campaign.
