Will return only when 100 per cent fit, says Shami

Kolkata: India pacer Mohammed Shami wants to be safe than sorry about his fitness and hence will not rush his India comeback.
“I am trying to make a return as soon as possible. I know that I have been away from a long time now,” Shami said after being felicitated by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) at its annual awards function in the city on Saturday.
“But I also want to make sure I have no doubts in my mind when I return.The stronger I return, the better it is for me, and lesser are the chances for me to get injured again. So it doesn’t matter whether I return for Bangladesh, New Zealand or Australia series,” he stated. “I have already started bowling (at NCA). But as I said, I don’t want to take any risk. Until I feel 100 per cent fit, I won’t agree to come back,” he added.
The pacer, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the 2023 ODI World Cup final and later underwent surgery earlier this year, is even ready to play a few matches for Bengal before making his international return.
The Awardees: Cricketer of the Year: Anushtup Majumdar; Gentleman Cricketer: Abishek Porel; Best Pacer: SS Jaiswal; Best U-19 Cricketer: Chandrahas Dash; Highest Run-Getter (Senior Women's T20): Deepti Sharma; Highest Wicket Taker (Senior women's One-day): Mita Paul; Highest Wicket Taker (Senior women's T20): Saika Ishaque.