The Times of India is currently running a very interesting but very important story. As per the news item, India speedster Mohammed Shami has apparently recovered from his knee injury and is stated to become available for selection in team’s next group league match against West Indies on March 6.
It is noteworthy that Shami was given rest in the UAE match as a safety measure but this hard working pacer from Bengal took part in the training activity at the Murdoch University Oval Sports Complex ground on Tuesday.
Shami not only took part in fielding drills but he also bowled a bit. If Shami is picked in the playing XI, Bhuvneshwar Kumar might again be dropped after having made a comeback against the minnows in the last game. It proved to be a worthwhile event where he got a wicket and bowled at a decent early 130 kmph pace.
R. N Baba, Media Manager of Team India, said “Shami is fit and available for selection“.
However, still there is no update on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s fitness but the pacer on Tuesday was seen having his ankle heavily strapped as he walked barefoot into the dressing room. So nothing can be predicted for sure as it might be a case of the ankle being taped to protect it from aggravating after having bowled full tilt in the last game.
Another cause of anxiety remains that the WACA is a hard ground and a pace bowler’s ankle usually takes more pounding on delivery landing here, compared to some of the other grounds. Thus, so far it’s not clear that whether Bhuvneshwar has again done some damage to his ankles or not.
Let us hope that he will be fit and fine to strike again soon.