Mohammed Shami suffered an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup at home last year and as been out of action since then.

New Delhi: Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami is likely to make a cricketing comeback after almost a year in the upcoming Ranji Trophy which starts in October. Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup last year, sustained an ankle injury during the mega event at home and had to go under the knife. Since then, the Bengal fast bowler has been under rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is in his final stages of rehab.

According to a PTI report, Shami might turn up for Bengal in either of their opening away Ranji Trophy matches against Uttar Pradesh on October 11 and the next one in Kolkata against Bihar on October 18. He might also play one of three Test matches against New Zealand before the tour of Australia.

The New Zealand Test series starts from October 19 in Bengaluru followed by Tests in Pune (October 24) and Mumbai (November 1). While there are Instagram videos of Shami starting off with his RTP routines (Return To Play) at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, bowling with low-intensity shortened run-up, there were reports that the 34-year-old could be available for the Duleep Trophy.

However, it has been learnt that there was no chance of him getting fit during the Duleep Trophy and the selectors don’t want to take any chances by rushing him earlier than required. The priority is to have India’s top three pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj – fit for the five Tests in Australia. Shami has so far taken 229 wickets from 64 Tests with six five-wicket hauls.