Mohammad Shami suffered an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup at home last year and has been sidelined ever since.

New Delhi: India's veteran fast bowler Mohammad Shami is likely to make a comeback to cricket after almost a year in the upcoming Ranji Trophy starting in October. Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup last year, suffered an ankle injury during the mega tournament at home and had to go under the knife. Since then, the Bengal fast bowler has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is in the final stages of his rehabilitation.

As reported by PTI, Shami could play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy matches against Uttar Pradesh on October 11 and against Bihar in Kolkata on October 18. He can play one of the three Test matches against New. Zealand before Australia tour.

The New Zealand Test series will start from October 19 in Bangalore, followed by Pune (October 24) and Mumbai (November 1). As Shami begins his RTP (return to play) routine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, bowling with a low-intensity short-up, reports say the 34-year-old Shami can do it. Available for Duleep Trophy.

However, it has been learned that there was no chance of him getting fit during the Duleep Trophy and the selectors did not want to take any chances by rushing him sooner than necessary. The priority is for India's top three fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj – to be fit for the five Test matches in Australia. Shami has so far taken 229 wickets in 64 Test matches with six five wickets.