As a result, the speedster's right knee has flared up. While Shami kicked off his rehab process, his progress has been hit by a swollen knee, jeopardising his chances of making a return to the Indian team before the much-awaited India tour of Australia, featuring five Tests. Shami has missed a plethora of series since the ODI WC, where he ended as the leading wicket-taker (24). While he is set to miss the upcoming home Tests versus New Zealand, starting Oct 16, the pacer was on the road to recovery but a BCCI source has reported that knee issues have hit his rehab process. "Shami had resumed bowling, and he was looking on track to make a comeback to competitive cricket soon. But this knee injury has flared up recently. BCCI's medical team is assessing the injury, but it may require quite a bit of time," a BCCI source told TOI.  The source added, "It's a jolt for the NCA medical team. They have been working on him for over a year. They have one of the best workload management systems in place. The medical team is trying its best to put him back in the park soon." Thus, Shami is running against time to be fit for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. India played the just-concluded two Tests versus Bangladesh, at home, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. While the trio are set to be part of the Australia series, Shami's experience will also be required by Rohit Sharma & Co. Given it will be tough for Bumrah and Siraj to play all five Tests in Australia, Shami's importance multiplies. Even though he might not play all Tests, his limited appearance will also benefit India, who are aiming for their third successive Test series win in Australia. However, the 34-year-old is struggling to regain fitness. After the NZ series, and a short SA tour, India's tour of Australia will kick off at Perth on Nov 22. It is a five-match Test series, including a day-night contest in Adelaide.