How the BCCI Medical Team’s Strategy for Mohammed Shami Collapsed: Inside the Pacer’s Career-Threatening Injury

Mohammed Shami’s last appearance in a competitive match was on November 19, 2023, when India suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the final of the 50-over World Cup. Throughout the tournament, Shami predominantly bowled as the first-change option, following Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, in the final match, after being included in the playing XI for the league game against New Zealand in Dharamsala, Shami was unexpectedly handed the second over. This change in the bowling order came because Shami was feeling unwell and preferred to bowl early when he was still at his freshest.

The seasoned fast bowler made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his first legitimate delivery, as Virat Kohli caught David Warner at first slip. However, that was the highlight for both Shami and India. Shami ended the match with figures of one for 47 from seven overs, but his bowling gradually lost its sting. Australia cruised to victory, winning by six wickets with 42 balls remaining.

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At the time, neither Shami nor the key figures in Indian cricket could have predicted that he would face an extended period away from the game due to an Achilles tendon injury. This injury required surgery on his right heel in London in February. Despite Shami’s personal struggle, the national team wasn’t significantly affected, as India had no overseas Test matches lined up for most of 2024, except for the early January Test in Cape Town against South Africa, which India comfortably won within two days.

Shami’s rehabilitation, meticulously monitored by the Sports Science team at the National Cricket Academy, went remarkably well, creating a real possibility of his return to international cricket during the three-Test home series against New Zealand. A detailed Return to Play protocol was established, requiring players recovering from injury to demonstrate match fitness in a competitive setting. It was decided that Shami would feature in one of Bengal’s early Ranji Trophy matches before rejoining the national squad.

The schedule appeared to be on Shami’s side – the Ranji Trophy began on October 11, and the final New Zealand Test in Mumbai was set for November 1. Even if he missed the first two Tests in Bengaluru (starting Wednesday) and Pune (October 24-28), there was enough time for him to play a Ranji match for Bengal, prove his fitness, and get back into Test match rhythm before the five-Test tour of Australia starting next month.

New Knee Injury Adds to Shami’s Troubles

Everything was going according to plan until the 34-year-old encountered a major setback with a knee injury, which now threatens his participation in the Australia tour. Just as he was nearing full fitness, Shami developed swelling in his knee, an unexpected issue that has forced him to restart his recovery process and could potentially rule him out of the entire Test series in Australia.

“He is working closely with the physios and doctors at the NCA. We are hoping for the best,” said Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday. “Our priority is for him to be fully fit. We don’t want to take an underprepared Shami to Australia.”

For Shami to avoid being “underprepared,” he needs to build up overs in an actual match, not just practice sessions. Given where he is in his recovery now, it’s unlikely he will be ready for the first half of the Australian tour, leaving India without his services for that period.

In recent years, India has grown accustomed to not having all of their first-choice players available due to injuries. The last tour of Australia was a prime example of this, with injuries affecting key players. Shami himself fractured his forearm during the first Test in Adelaide, and as the series progressed, India lost Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah. Despite these setbacks, India remarkably managed to clinch their second consecutive series victory in Australia.

Shami would have been eager to add to his impressive record of 37 wickets from eight Tests in Australia, where the conditions favor pace and bounce, making seam bowling more effective than swing. At this stage of his career, he requires careful management, but prolonged injury absences could inadvertently extend his playing days. However, being 34, his recovery and rehabilitation will naturally take longer compared to a younger player.

Shami has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket for nearly 12 years, having made his ODI debut in January 2013, and his tally of 448 international wickets is a testament to his hard work. While there’s still plenty left in the tank, one can only hope the injuries don’t continue to derail his career.

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