‘Match mode on’: Mohammed Shami’s Instagram post goes viral as Agarkar prepares to name India squad today

After almost a year away from cricket, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is all set to make a comeback in Indian colours in the upcoming 5-match T20I series against England starting this month. Shami is also expected to be named in the 15-man squad to be announced by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar today.

The veteran player last played a match for India around 14 months back during the ODI World Cup 2023 and will be seen playing international cricket for the first time since then. With reports hinting that Jasprit Bumrah is not fully fit, Shami could lead India's pace attack.

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Ahead of the Champions Trophy squad announcement, Shami posted an Instagram with the caption, “The wait is over! 🔥 Match mode ON as I prepare to rejoin Team India.”

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Shami's ankle injury: After warming the bench for the first four matches of the ODI World Cup 2023, Shami found his place in the Indian playing XI when Hardik Pandya was injured against Bangladesh. From that point on, it was all Shami, as the Bengal pacer became a nightmare for the opposition. He finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 scalps in just seven games, including a seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semifinal.

However, a chronic right heel injury sidelined him for a few months before the 34-year-old underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon. He made his return to cricket last November with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, picking up seven wickets against Madhya Pradesh.

Since then, Mohammed Shami has played the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and a few matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While the right-arm seamer took 11 wickets in the SMAT, he picked up five wickets in three Vijay Hazare Trophy games. With the white-ball series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching, Mohammed Shami is expected to return to the Indian dressing room after more than a year.

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