Cricket

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is diligently working towards regaining full fitness ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The five-match Test series is scheduled to take place between November 2024 and January 2025 in Australia.Shami's return to action has been eagerly anticipated after a prolonged absence. His last appearance for India was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final on November 19. Since then, he has been sidelined due to an ankle injury.The pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year. Despite the setback, there is optimism that Shami may regain full fitness before the team's departure for Australia.Recently, Shami was spotted bowling at full tilt on the same pitch where India lost the opening Test to New Zealand in Bengaluru. The session was closely monitored by India bowling coach Morne Morkel. A video of the session has gone viral on social media, showcasing Shami's progress.However, India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed reservations about including Shami in the Test squad for Australia, even if he regains fitness. Sharma cited Shami's lack of match practice as a concern."To be honest, it is difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series. He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He's at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don't want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed," Sharma said.Despite the captain's reservations, Shami remains determined to prove his fitness and earn a place in the Test squad. The pacer's experience and skill would be invaluable to India's chances of success in Australia.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing concerns over the prolonged recovery of young fast bowler Ihsanullah from an elbow injury that has sidelined him for over a year. The 21-year-old's recent behavior has raised questions about his commitment to his rehabilitation program.According to a reliable PCB source, senior officials are frustrated with Ihsanullah's actions, particularly his contradiction of a statement made by his father. Ihsanullah's father had visited Lahore to request that his son continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) rather than in his hometown of Swat. He also informed the media that Ihsanullah preferred to continue his rehab at the NCA.However, the next day, Ihsanullah tweeted that he was comfortable with continuing his rehabilitation in Swat and did not see the need to travel to Lahore. This directly contradicted his father's statement."The board officials are worried with the sincerity and hard work Ihsan is putting into his rehab program which was designed for him by experts after he was sent to the UK for an appointment with a specialist," the source said.The PCB had appointed an independent medical panel to review Ihsanullah's diagnosis and treatment. The panel recommended that he continue his rehab in Swat under the supervision of an assigned trainer.However, with fitness tests approaching before the Champions Cup domestic event, there are growing concerns about whether Ihsanullah is taking his rehab process seriously.Ihsanullah emerged as a promising talent for Pakistan during last year's Pakistan Super League. He was quickly integrated into the national white-ball squad for T20 and ODI matches before suffering his elbow injury.The handling of Ihsanullah's injury also led to the resignation of the PCB's head of the medical panel, Dr. Sohail Saleem.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has lifted the suspensions of Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, allowing them to resume competitive cricket after completing their four-month bans for drug use. The duo tested positive for a recreational drug during an in-house dope test in December 2023.As part of their rehabilitation, Madhevere and Mavuta underwent training under ZC's high-performance program and were fined 50% of their salaries for three months. They have since cleared drug tests conducted after their suspension period ended.ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni welcomed the players' return, stating, "I am pleased to welcome Wessly and Brandon back to competitive cricket after both of them underwent rehabilitation and also passed a drug test carried out to check if they were now clean."Makoni emphasized the players' acknowledgment of their mistakes and their commitment to staying clean. However, there is no update on batter Kevin Kasuza, who was also suspended in January for a similar offense.Meanwhile, ZC academy player Davis Murwendo has tested positive for a social drug in the latest round of internal tests and is scheduled for a hearing.ZC's anti-drugs program is voluntary and separate from ICC and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) obligations. Makoni explained, "Recognizing the dangers that recreational drugs may cause, ZC opted to go beyond the ICC and WADA obligations by implementing an in-house drugs testing programme."This initiative provides education, counseling, and treatment to rehabilitate players involved with social drugs.

Suryakumar Yadav's arduous rehabilitation journey over the past three months has not only mended his physical ailments but has also transformed him into a more resilient and focused athlete. Undergoing treatment for a sports hernia, ankle injury, and right knee pain at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Suryakumar has dedicated himself to a rigorous rehab regimen that has rewired his body and mind."It's been a challenging three months, but it's also been a period of immense growth for me," Suryakumar said. "I've had to focus on the smallest details, from my diet to my sleep patterns, to ensure a speedy recovery."During his rehab, Suryakumar has embraced new habits, such as reading books and adhering to a strict sleep schedule. These seemingly minor changes have played a significant role in his recovery process."I've realized that it's the little things that make a big difference," Suryakumar explained. "By taking care of my body and mind, I've been able to recover faster and come back stronger."Suryakumar's return to the field has been eagerly anticipated by Mumbai Indians fans. After missing the team's first three matches due to injury, he made his comeback against Delhi Capitals but was dismissed for a two-ball duck.Despite the disappointing start, Suryakumar remains optimistic and determined to make a significant contribution to his team."It's always tough to watch your team play from the sidelines," he said. "But I've used that time to motivate myself and work even harder on my recovery."Suryakumar's dedication and resilience have impressed the Mumbai Indians coaching staff. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene believes that the all-rounder has returned as a more complete player."Suryakumar has shown great character and determination during his rehab," Jayawardene said. "He's come back stronger and more focused than ever before. We're excited to have him back in the team."As Mumbai Indians prepare for their upcoming matches, Suryakumar is eager to prove his worth and help his team achieve success."I'm ready to hit the ground running," he said. "I've worked hard to get back to full fitness, and I'm confident that I can make a positive impact on the team."

India's star T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following ankle surgery. While his recovery is progressing well, it remains uncertain whether he will be available for the Mumbai Indians' first two matches in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).The Mumbai Indians will kick off their campaign on March 24 against last year's runners-up Gujarat Titans. Yadav, the world's No. 1 T20 batter, is working diligently at the NCA to regain peak match fitness."Surya's rehabilitation is on track, and he will definitely return to play in the IPL," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity. "However, it is still unclear whether the NCA's Sports Science and Medical Team will clear him to play in the first two away games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (March 27)."Yadav's Instagram posts indicate that he has been engaging in extensive Strength and Conditioning (S&C) routines. However, he has yet to share any batting videos, which would provide a clearer indication of his progress."There are still 12 days to go before MI play their first game, but it could be a race against time to get fit by the first match itself," the source added.Yadav is a crucial player for both India and the Mumbai Indians. His exceptional strike rate of 171-plus and 2,141 runs in 60 T20 games make him a formidable force. He has also scored four T20I centuries.India's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas will heavily depend on Yadav's performance. Similarly, the Mumbai Indians' success in the IPL hinges on his availability from the start.Yadav last played for India in South Africa, where he led the national team in the T20 format.