'He has started to bowl which is a good sign' - Ajit Agarkar provides update on Mohammed Shami's return

In the recent press conference in Mumbai, newly appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed various topics, including the recovery of star pacer Mohammed Shami and the potential for new fast bowlers to make their Test debuts.

Shami, a key figure in India's bowling attack, has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury that required surgery. His absence has been keenly felt, particularly during the South Africa tour and the five-match Test series against England at home earlier in the year. But the pacer has started bowling in the nets and is preparing for his return to the national side.

Shami's impressive performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches, shows his importance to the team. The selector provided an update on Shami's recovery.

"We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment and hope they will be back up. Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test (against Bangladesh) and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that," he said in the presser.

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We'll need some depth: Agarkar

The Mumbai-born also touched upon the depth of India's fast-bowling resources. Agarkar also believes there might be some fresh faces who are performing consistently in first-class cricket.

“There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first-class cricket coming up so we can build guys up like that,” he added.

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Under the newly appointed head coach, the team is set to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on July 27. India then face Bangladesh and New Zealand in a home series, followed by a five-match Test series in Australia later in the year.