After much anticipation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami will not be flying to Australia for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Despite recovering from a heel injury sustained during the 2023 ICC World Cup, Shami has now been sidelined by a knee issue, ruling him out of the crucial last two Tests of the ongoing series.

BCCI Statement on Shami’s Injury

In an official statement, the BCCI revealed details of Shami's rehabilitation journey and the unfortunate setback he has faced. "The BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence has been working closely with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has completely recovered from this heel problem," read the statement.

Shami, 34, returned to competitive cricket in November, featuring in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal and participating in nine matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The fast bowler ramped up his bowling workload through additional sessions to regain full match fitness for Test cricket.

However, the BCCI confirmed that his left knee began showing signs of swelling due to the increased joint loading from his intense bowling workload. "The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period," the statement added.

More Time for Needed for Recovery

The BCCI Medical Team, after assessing Shami’s condition, concluded that the pacer’s knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. As a result, he has been ruled out of the final two Tests of the BGT 2024-25. "Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads," the board explained.

Shami last appeared for India during the ICC World Cup 2023 final, where he played despite battling a heel injury. The pacer underwent surgery earlier this year in February for the same issue, and this recent knee injury marks another setback in his efforts to regain full fitness for the national team.