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Indian pacer Mohammad Shami is confident that India has a strong chance to make it three consecutive series wins against Australia Down Under this winter. “I believe India are the favourites to win the series. In our last tour of Australia, we played with a young team, and despite the absence of several senior players, we proved to be the best. I expect the upcoming series to be highly competitive, but I’m confident that India will emerge victorious,” said Shami, who has been sidelined for nearly 10 months due to injury.
India has won the last two away Test series in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21), and Australia hasn’t held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014. Shami, a key player in the 2018-19 series, missed the team’s most recent visit in 2020-21.
Shami’s last Test appearance came against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval in June 2023. He has been out of action since India’s World Cup final against Australia in November last year and has undergone surgery during this period.
When asked about his return to international cricket, Shami emphasized caution. “I don’t want to rush back, even though I am eager to return. It’s important not to have any doubts when I come back. I want to return stronger, both mentally and physically. My goal is to be fully fit before rejoining the team. Whether it’s for the Australia, New Zealand, or Bangladesh series, I will return when I am 100% ready,” he said at an awards ceremony in Kolkata on Saturday night.
Regarding his fitness, Shami shared that he has already resumed bowling. “I want to ensure that I’m completely fit with no discomfort or doubts. Until I feel fully confident—both physically and mentally—I won’t consider returning to the field. I’m willing to play domestic cricket if needed before rejoining the international circuit.”
With 229 wickets in 64 Tests, Shami is also optimistic about India’s chances against Bangladesh in the upcoming two-Test series, set to begin in Chennai on September 19. “Bangladesh may have beaten Pakistan, but we’re playing at home. They should consider our current form, home record, and the overall strength of the Indian team.”
Additionally, Shami expressed his desire to play for Bengal in the upcoming domestic season. “I definitely want to represent Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Playing a few matches for Bengal will help me regain form for international cricket. I’ve been training at the NCA and will play when I’m fully fit.”
Shami also took a moment to reflect on his journey and roots. “I am incredibly grateful to Bengal. Although I was born in UP, I always say I was made in Bengal. This journey of 22 years has been shaped by the love and support Bengal has given me. I am deeply thankful for that and will never forget it.”
He concluded by expressing his hopes for the future of women’s cricket, saying, “I want to see women’s cricket flourish. It’s essential that we avoid any form of discrimination and provide equal support for all athletes.”
This humanized narrative of Shami’s thoughts highlights his confidence in India’s prospects while incorporating relevant keywords to enhance SEO performance, such as “India vs Australia Test series,” “Shami injury update,” “India cricket team news,” and “Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”
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