Mohammed Shami played through injury during World Cup, ankle issue still remain a concern: Report

Mohammed Shami played through an ankle issue during the ODI World Cup 2023, it was reported on Tuesday. The ankle issue has also thrown his participation during the South Africa tour in doubt. The Bengal pacer has not been named in the T20I and ODI squads but finds a mention in the Test squad. The Test series starts on 26 December and he is also included in the squad for the three-day warm-up game which will be played ahead of the Test series.

This gives Shami some extra time to recover from the ankle issue but there’s still no clarity on his participation.

As per a report in Cricbuzz, Shami is struggling with a niggle in his ankle, but played in the World Cup “while experiencing discomfort, particularly during landing while bowling.”

“Mr. Mohd. Shami is currently undergoing medical treatment, and his availability is subject to fitness,” BCCI had said while announcing the squads for the South Africa tour.

Despite the ankle injury, Shami was India’s best player at the World Cup, taking 24 wickets to emerge as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

It was reported by news agency PTI at the start of December that Shami was in Mumbai to see a sports orthopaedic and would stay at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to recover from the injury.

“It is not exactly an on-field injury. It is an ankle condition that has developed. Shami came to Mumbai to consult the doctors. He will also go to NCA for rehab and recuperation work,” a BCCI source told PTI.

The report also added that Shami will be asked to focus on Test cricket in the near future and may not be considered for white-ball assignments. His participation in T20 World Cup 2024 will depend on his performance for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024.