Mohammed Shami provides relief for Rohit Sharma with major fitness update, sets sights on upcoming Australia tour

Shami's session of bowling in the nets came just days after skipper Rohit Sharma disclosed that Shami was dealing with swelling in his knees, hampering his recovery from an ankle injury.

"I am very happy with how I bowled yesterday. I was bowling from half run-up before that because I didn't want to take too much load. But yesterday, I decided to go full tilt, and I bowled at a 100 per cent," Shami told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by Eugenix Hair Sciences.

"The result was good. I am 100 per cent pain-free. Everyone has been wondering for a long time about whether I will make it for the Australia series but it is still some time away," he added.

"The only thing on my mind is to ensure that I am fit and how strong I can be for the Australia series. I can see what kind of attack we need in Australia. I have to spend more time on the ground," he said.

Before the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma had said that he was not in favour of taking an "undercooked" Mohammed Shami for the series against Australia.

The pacer has now said that he wants to play a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal. "I want to play a couple of (Ranji) matches before I go," he added.

"The only thing on my mind is to ensure that I am fit and how strong I can be for the Australia series. I can see what kind of attack we need in Australia. I have to spend more time on the ground," Shami said.

For the unversed, Mohammed Shami has not played for India since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.