Mohammed Shami in action during the match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai
| Photo Credit: ANI
One of the hardest challenges for a sportsperson is to come back from a long injury layoff, especially if it happens in the later stages of one’s career.
Even though advances in sports science have increased the career span of modern-day athletes, an injury at the wrong time can derail the best-laid plans.
In the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh on Thursday (February 20, 2025), Mohammed Shami — almost one year after undergoing surgery on the right heel — showed he was nearly back to his best after scalping a five-wicket haul to set-up a six-wicket win for his side.
Since the surgery, the 34-year-old also had to deal with a lingering knee problem that delayed his return to international cricket.
Prior to his injury, Shami was at his peak and had a dream ODI World Cup in 2023 when he finished as the highest wicket-taker (24) from just seven games at an eye-popping strike rate of 12.20.
The pacer’s strength has always been his ability to keep an upright seam after release and to get the ball move both ways off the pitch, leaving the batters little time to adjust. It was evident from the first over when his in-dipper from around the wicket had Soumya Sarkar inside-edging to the ‘keeper and later took the dangerous Mehidy Hasan Miraz, caught at slip. Later, he used his slower-ball variations in the death overs to add three more to his kitty.
After the match, the speedster spoke about the challenges he faced during the 14 months he was away from the game.
“It is very difficult when you are injured, and you go from that form that I had in the World Cup because you have to repeat the same things, the same things pinch you again and again, you feel the pain 24 hours a day,” said Shami.
In an interview with ICC TV, the seamer revealed he had doubts about ever playing again.
“For the first two months, I often doubted whether I could play again because an injury like this, followed by a 14-month break, can pull you down. After 60 days, when they asked me to put my feet on the ground, you won’t believe me, but I have never been more scared to put my foot on the ground. It felt like I was starting over, like a toddler learning how to walk, and I was worried about any complications.”
Elaborating on the rehab programme, Shami said he was focused on doing the right work without looking at the result. “I just try to complete my skill with utmost loyalty. How loyal are you to that skill, and how hungry are you to achieve your goal? I always try to do this, even if it takes a little longer. I used to spend eight hours at the NCA (National Cricket Academy). So, my attempt was that – even if you are increasing your days by 10%, 30% or 40%, is your area good? Is your rhythm good? Do you have any discomfort? I paid attention to those things.”
On the eve of the match, skipper Rohit Sharma said he wasn’t focused on Shami’s numbers in the games against England but only on getting him to play again. He was confident that his pace spearhead would rise to the occasion, and Shami repaid that faith by scalping his sixth five-for and fifth in an ICC event to help India start its journey on the right note.
Published – February 21, 2025 04:16 pm IST
