Mohammed Shami gives an update on his recovery from the ankle injury

Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has shared that he is trying his best to recover from his ankle injury to be available for selection for the upcoming home Test series against England. The five-match Test series will start in Hyderabad on January 25. The veteran has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to an ankle injury as well.

However, Shami missed the entire South African tour, including the drawn two-Test series and reports were there that the right-arm pacer will likely miss the first two Tests of the England series.

Speaking to India Today after the reception of the prestigious Arjuna Award, Shami said, “I am trying best to be available for the selection for England Test series but test match is longer format so you don’t want to be in doubt. Whenever it comes to T20s , many times I don’t understand that whether I am in scene or not. But what I feel is that you have IPL before the T20 World Cup and that is the best opportunity to bring in momentum, and if management will ask me to play, I’ll be available.”

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However, before the England Test series, India will play three T20I matches against Afghanistan at home, with the first one being played on Thursday, January 11 as well. Like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shami last played a T20I in India’s semi-final defeat to England at the 2022 World Cup as well. He also said that being presented with the Arjuna Award was the ‘biggest achievement’ of his life and he also thanked his family for their support always.

Notably, he was the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps in only seven games. His heroics helped India to reach the final undefeated in the grand finale against Australia. Moreover, he became India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cups with 55 scalps in only 18 outings so far. He is in fifth place on the all-time charts behind Glenn McGrath, Muthiah Muralidaran, Mitchell Starc and Lasith Malinga as well.

“Its biggest achievement of my life I can’t express my feelings. I love my sport and I always try to do best whatever I am doing,” Shami said. “The kind of support my family gave to me to pursue my dream is just amazing. I don’t have words to explain that how I started my journey from Amroha to Indian cricket. Passion is always there and I always try to play as much as I can and do well for the country,” Mohammed Shami concluded.