India get likely boost before BGT as Md Shami cleared for Ranji Trophy

Mohammed Shami, one of the architects of India's series win in Australia in 2018-19, could well be in the flight to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, after the star quick was cleared for competitive return after being out of action for nearly a year.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Shami's return to action was confirmed after Bengal named the fast bowler in the squad for the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore starting Wednesday.

"In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Mohammed Shami will make a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday," stated Naresh Ojha, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal in a statement.

Shami, who has been out of competitive action since India's ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad last November due to an ankle injury and the subsequent surgery, will aim to prove his fitness in a real match situation after undergoing intense rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He spent the better part of the year recuperating at the National Cricket Academy.