India pacer Mohammed Shami is all set to return after his long layoff due to injury. Shami, who has been out due to an ankle injury since the ODI World Cup final last year, will return in the Ranji Trophy in Bengal against Madhya Pradesh.

The ODI World Cup’s leading wicket-taker was forced to take a break due to ankle surgery just after the quadrennial tournament. Shami was expected to return ahead of the New Zealand Test series but the timeline was pushed back when his knee injury flared up during his rehabilitation process.

“Shami’s inclusion in the Bengal team will not only be a big boost but will also boost the morale of the entire team as they aim to progress to the next round of the Ranji Trophy,” stated the Bengal Cricket Association in a press release.

Bengal are currently at 5th place in the points table with 8 points from 4 games. Bengal got 3 crucial points in their last match against Karnataka. The team will face Madhya Pradesh in the fifth round of the tournament starting on Wednesday, November 13.

shami he had talked about his recovery back in October. The pacer emphasized that he was no longer in pain and was looking to bowl again at full speed.

“I’m very happy with the way I bowled yesterday. I used to bowl at half pace because I didn’t want to carry too much. But yesterday I decided to bowl at full speed and bowled at 100 per cent,” the 34-year-old told the journalists during the Bengaluru Test Match against New Zealand.

“The result was good. I am 100 percent pain-free. Everyone has been wondering for a long time if I will make it to the Australia series, but there is still some time left,” he said, referring to the five-match contest that begins on November 22 in Perth.

India captain Rohit Sharma addressed Shami’s injury concerns and revealed that the pacer was still struggling with his knee. Shami had criticized media reports just before the New Zealand series when he was not named in India’s squad against the Kiwis.