Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an Achilles tendon injury, recently shared a dapper image on social media, garnering much attention from fans and cricketing circles alike. The 34-year-old posted a picture on Instagram dressed in a beige blazer, with the post quickly accumulating thousands of likes and comments.
Among the many reactions to his post, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s comment stood out. Pathan, known for his camaraderie with fellow cricketers, commented, “Oh bhai bhai,” showing his approval of Shami’s stylish appearance. Shami’s fans followed suit, flooding the post with compliments and well-wishes for his recovery.
Shami’s Injury and Recovery
Shami, who had an Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year, has been working on regaining full fitness ahead of his return to competitive cricket. He missed India’s international fixtures during his recovery, but his social media presence has kept fans updated on his journey.
The veteran fast bowler is known for his resilience and ability to make comebacks. He last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where his performance played a crucial role in India’s campaign. However, after the tournament, Shami’s injury became a matter of concern, ruling him out of action for several months.
Comeback on the Horizon
Shami was not included in India’s squad for the first Test of the two-match home series against Bangladesh. However, reports suggest that he is gearing up to make his comeback in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic competition, in October.
Fans eagerly await his return to the field, as Shami is an essential part of India’s pace attack across formats. His ability to swing the ball at pace makes him a potent weapon, particularly in red-ball cricket. If he regains full fitness, Shami could play a vital role in India’s Test team as well as limited-overs cricket.
Shami’s Impact in the 2023 ODI World Cup
Although Shami missed the initial matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup, he was brought into the playing XI after an injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Shami made an immediate impact, taking a match-winning five-wicket haul against New Zealand. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award as India secured a four-wicket victory.
In the tournament, Shami finished as the leading wicket-taker for India, with an impressive tally of 24 wickets in just seven matches. His ability to break partnerships at crucial moments made him one of the standout bowlers in the World Cup.
Irfan Pathan’s Ferrari Comparison
Irfan Pathan, a former Indian all-rounder turned commentator, has been vocal about his admiration for Shami’s bowling skills. After Shami’s five-wicket haul in the World Cup, Pathan compared him to a Ferrari, a metaphor highlighting his consistent performance and high-octane bowling.
On X (formerly Twitter), Pathan wrote, “Mohammed Shami is like a Ferrari. Whenever you take it out of the garage, it will give you the same speed, thrill, and joy to ride every time.” This comparison emphasizes how Shami remains a formidable force whenever he is given the opportunity to play, irrespective of his time away from the game.
Looking Forward
As Shami prepares to make his comeback, both fans and cricket experts are eager to see him in action once again. His experience and skill will be critical for India, especially with important international series and tournaments on the horizon. While his absence has been felt in the bowling department, his return promises to bolster India’s pace attack.
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In the meantime, Shami continues to engage with his fans off the field, sharing glimpses of his personal life and style through social media, keeping the excitement around his comeback alive.
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