Why 4 overs of SMAT not enough for Mohammed Shami to reach 100% fitness?

Mohammed Shami’s hopes of making a comeback for the India Cricket Team have been delayed. After making a return to Bengal, it was believed that Shami would be traveling to Australia to join Team India for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. But that won’t be the case, instead, Shami will now play for Bnegal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And this raises questions as to whether playing the shortest format of the game now, would be okay or not?

After missing action for a span of 360 days, Mohammed Shami made a return to action in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. Shami last played in the ODI World Cup 2023 final following which he underwent the knife on his ankle.

Shami not 100 fit yet

Shami’s return to action after almost a year was decent enough. He went on to bag 7 wickets across both the innings as Bengal snatched a thrilling win over Madhya Pradesh. Now this return prompted many to believe that Shami is ready to fly to Australia and feature for India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

But that is not the case. Shami has now been named in the Bengal squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While playing more matches means Shami inching closer to 100% fitness, but SMAT is not the format to play. Especially in this Test season, there is no point in playing T20 cricket.

As many will agree, Shami’s bowling 4 overs in SMAT wouldn’t help his case. Red-ball cricket or at least 50-over cricket is what Shami needs at the moment to become perfectly fit. India currently has no assignment in the shortest format of the game. On the other hand, the IND vs AUS Test series continues followed by the ICC Champions Trophy.