After IND vs NZ Test, Mohammed Shami Spotted Bowling in the Nets at Chinnaswamy Stadium: WATCH

Mohammed Shami, currently sidelined from cricketing action, was spotted bowling at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Indian bowler was observed practising in the nets under the watchful eye of Indian bowling coach, Morne Morkel, following Team India’s loss to New Zealand in the opening Test.

In a video uploaded on X (formerly known as Twitter), the pacer can be seen having a go at bowling with his full run-up in the nets. His left knee can also be seen strapped for safety concerns.

Shami has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup where India reached the finals and suffered a crushing loss to Australia at Ahmedabad. That marks 11 months since the star pacer has been seen in cricketing action.

Many expected that Shami would make a return to the national side for the New Zealand series but the Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he had a setback in his road to recovery with a swelling on his knee which resulted in his exclusion from the squad.

“To be honest, it is difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series. He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He’s at the NCA with doctors and physios,” Rohit said.

“We want to give him enough time to recover and be 100 per cent fit. The physios, the trainers, and the doctors have set a roadmap for him. He is supposed to play a couple of (practice) games before he plays international cricket,” he added.

With the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 coming up, the chances of Shami getting back to the Indian side for the Australian tour also grow slimmer. Currently, the fast bowler is continuing his recovery and rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The Indian team will hope that Shami can make his return to the side in time for the Australian tour where they will need every ounce of experience they can get from the squad to take on the mighty Aussies at their home turf.

Team India on the other hand will now shift their focus to Pune where they aim to make a strong comeback after suffering a defeat in the opening Test of the three-match series. The second Test begins on October 24 and the final Test will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on November 1.