Mohammed Shami has reportedly found himself in a race against time to return to the Indian Test team for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. After a long injury layoff, Shami recently marked his return to competitive cricket with an impressive performance for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Madhya Pradesh in Indore.

However, the seasoned Indian pacer Mohammed Shami's selection for the marquee five-match Test series between Australia and India depends on clearing multiple fitness benchmarks in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25.

Mohammed Shami's return to the Indian Test team for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 depends on fitness in SMAT

It is being said that Mohammed Shami is under close observation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team. The BCCI’s medical team has been closely monitoring Shami’s recovery post-surgery.

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The very significant part of the crucial evaluation is achieving improved fitness levels and shedding excess weight, as these factors will be important for Mohammed Shami’s endurance and long spells in the Test matches.

The medical team is optimistic that consistent game time will help Mohammed Shami regain peak fitness. Bengal’s matches in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 are being used as a crucial parameter to assess his progress to take the final call on his Australia tour.

The first round of SMAT matches has been kept as a makeshift yardstick for Shami: BCCI Source

A BCCI source was quoted as saying by Times of India on November 22: “What one needs to see is when he can let go of the dependency on the BCCI's medical team, which is treating him after every spell he is bowling. The medical team feels he will start losing weight as he keeps playing matches, which will help build his endurance. Since the Ranji Trophy leg is over, the first round of SMAT matches has been kept as a makeshift yardstick.”

Meanwhile, reports suggested that BCCI's head of sports science, Nitin Patel, and National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer, Nishant Bordoloi, are overseeing Mohammed Shami's training and recovery program during his stint with the Bengal team.

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If his recovery goes as planned, Shami could potentially return to the Indian lineup for the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, which is set to begin on December 14 at The Gabba, Brisbane.

'Bowling two-over spells in T20 matches in SMAT isn't the ideal parameter'

However, Shami's return to the international arena will be reportedly approached cautiously, with an eye on ensuring his readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But still, Shami can be sent to Australia to at least train with the team.

The source revealed: “Bowling two-over spells in T20 matches in SMAT isn't the ideal parameter. Maintaining intensity in a high-profile Test series is a different ball game. There is a chance he could be sent to train with Team India if he clears the SMAT challenge, but to play him will be a good call. The selectors are also wary about the Champions Trophy in February.”

In Shami's absence, India won the first Test by 295 runs against Australia in Perth, where the stand-in captain and premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, claimed eight wickets, Mohammed Siraj took five, and debutant Harshit Rana picked up four, while Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal hit centuries.