Shami suffered an injury during last year's ODI World Cup and had undergone surgery. The 34-year-old quick was India's highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and strike rate of 12.20 at the marquee tournament. He has not played any form of cricket since the defeat in the final to Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium back on November 19.
"It is pretty difficult for us to make a call on whether he will be fit for this series or the Australia series. He recently had a setback - he had a swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual," Rohit told reporters, on the eve of India's first Test against New Zealand, in Bengaluru.
"He was in the process of getting fit, getting close to 100 percent and he had a swelling in his knee. That put him back a little bit in his recovery, so he had to start again fresh. Right now, he is at NCA - he is working with the physios, and the doctors at NCA," he said.
Shami was included in the Test squad against South Africa last December but his availability was subject to fitness. The BCCI later stated that he had not been cleared by the medical team and the fast bowler was then ruled out of the two Tests.
After the home Test series against New Zealand, the Rohit-led side will head to Australia for the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy series, and the management don't want to risk taking Shami to Down Under when he is not 100 percent fit.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed. We want him to be fit; we want him to be 100 percent. More than anything else, we don't want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. That is not going to be the right decision for us. He has not played any cricket for over a year. It is quite tough for a fast bowler to have missed so much of cricket and then suddenly to come out and be at his best. It is not ideal. We will want to give him enough time to recover, and be 100% fit," the opener added.
Shami underwent a successful surgery on his heel to repair his Achilles tendon in the UK in March this year.
"The physios, the trainers, and the doctors have set a roadmap for him. He is supposed to play a couple of games before he plays international cricket. We will see where he is at after this New Zealand series, and then take a call at what stage of the Australia series he will be fit for us," said Rohit.
Shami underwent a successful surgery on his heel to repair his Achilles tendon in the UK in March this year.
Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers
Article Source: IANS
You may also like
Bihar by-elections: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj to announce candidates today
ECI disqualifies five candidates of Punjab 2022 Assembly polls
Canadian Air Force plane ferries stranded Air India passengers from Iqaluit airport to Chicago
China refuses to renounce force over Taiwan, targets 'external interference'
Odisha Congress Leader Files Dowry Harassment Case Against Husband
Dubai: Gold prices jump over Dh2 per gram in early trade
"Unemployment will be our govt's top priority in J-K," says NC leader Sheikh Bashir Ahmad
Gold slipped from record high before Diwali, silver also became cheaper, know the price of your city
With Learnings From WPL And Australia, Kiran Navgire Eager To Make Domestic Season Count
SCO Summit: EAM Jaishankar & Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's 2nd handshake in 12 hours sets internet abuzz| WATCH
DWP abandons 'sick note' PIP voucher plan as Labour begins eying benefits reform
Industrial & warehousing demand gains momentum with about 20 mn sq ft leased in 9 months
Maharashtra: Mumbai Congress General Secretary Alhaz Javed R Shroff Joins Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's NCP Ahead Of Assembly Elections
Sad reason people won't give women life-saving CPR
Reasons Why Couples Opt For Open Marriage
Bank Withdrawal Change: Income tax is keeping an eye on withdrawals of more than one lakh from banks
"Not good for democracy": Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak slams opposition for questioning constitutional institutions
7 Benefits Of Morning Yoga
'Own Your U.S. Application Process:' How Thorough Research Leads To Your Best-Fit University
'Magnificent...' Israeli Ambassador visits Ram Mandir in Ayodhya