Cricket fans will have to wait longer than expected to see two of India’s prominent players, Prithvi Shaw and Mohammed Shami, back in action on the field. Prithvi Shaw, the dynamic top-order batsman, is facing a delayed return to competitive cricket as he rehabilitates from a knee ligament injury sustained in August of the previous year. Shaw is diligently working through his recovery process, focused on testing his knee’s resilience under the duress of competitive play before making a much-anticipated comeback.
According to insights from Cricbuzz, current rehabilitation progress perceives that Shaw might miss out on returning to the pitch until the Indian Premier League 2024 edition takes center stage. The absence of the exuberant right-hander will likely impact Mumbai’s aspirations in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, with Shaw known for offering the team robust beginnings to their matches.
It’s been a substantial hiatus for Shaw, who last sported the Indian jersey in a T20I clash with Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 25, 2021. Despite his limited appearances—featuring in just five Tests, six ODIs, and a solitary T20I—Shaw has demonstrated his prowess by recording an impressive Test average of 42.37. This includes a noteworthy century on his debut against West Indies alongside two fifties.
Delving into his domestic cricket records, Shaw’s performance is even more illustrious. He has amassed an impressive total of 3802 runs in first-class cricket at an enviable average of 50.02. This tally is highlighted by 12 centuries and 16 half-centuries, showcasing the talent and potential that has been side-lined due to his ongoing knee troubles.
While Shaw’s saga of recovery unfolds, Mohammed Shami, the spearhead of India’s bowling assault and leading wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup 2023, is also navigating through his recuperation journey. Shami’s prowess on the field has been temporarily halted by an ankle ailment that affected his participation during India’s Test series in South Africa and is the underlying cause for his current absence from India’s squad.
The fast bowler has missed out on joining the team for the initial two Tests against England, which commenced on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. This much-awaited five-match Test series is a pinnacle event in the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
As India hosts England at home, Shami’s absence poses a notable gap in the bowling line-up, compelling the team to rely on the depth of their bowling reserves. Despite this, the Indian team remains a formidable opponent for England, sustained by their home advantage and a squad teeming with both seasoned players and emerging talent.
In the interim, other cricketers continue to make headlines in the world of international cricket. Tata Motors retains the title sponsorship rights for the Indian Premier League until 2028, while cricketing legends such as Sunil Gavaskar provide insight into team India’s squad selections. And off the field, cricket enthusiasts entertain with their own high-stakes performances, like a spectator who made waves by gulping down two beer glasses consecutively on live television during the SA20 league, leaving commentators and fans alike in amazement.
Until Shaw and Shami return to don their gear and step onto the pitch, the cricket community holds its collective breath, wishing for swift and successful recoveries for these athletes. Their potential contributions to India’s cricketing campaigns remain undoubted, and fans eagerly anticipate the moment when they can once again witness their cricketing heroes in full swing.
