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Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami is poised for a return to cricket after a prolonged injury layoff. Shami, sidelined since the ODI World Cup Final last year due to an ankle injury, is set to make his comeback in the Ranji Trophy clash between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

The leading wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup, Shami underwent ankle surgery shortly after the tournament. Originally slated to return in time for the New Zealand Test series, his recovery was delayed when a knee issue emerged during rehabilitation, pushing back his comeback timeline. Now, with his fitness back on track, Shami is eager to rejoin the action and regain his form in the domestic circuit.

"Shami's inclusion in the Bengal team will not just be a big boost but also lift the morale of the entire team, which aims to make it to the next round of the Ranji Trophy", stated the Cricket Association of Bengal in a press release.

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Bengal are currently in the fifth spot in the points table with 8 points from 4 games. Bengal bagged 3 crucial points from their last match against Karnataka. The team is set to take on Madhya Pradesh in the 5th round of the tournament from Wednesday, 13 November.

Shami had spoken about his recovery back in October. The pacer stressed that he was pain-free and looking to return to bowling full tilt.

"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 100 percent," the 34-year-old told reporters during the Bengaluru Test match vs New Zealand.

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"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 said, referring to the five-match contest that begins November 22 in Perth.

India captain Rohit Sharma had addressed the injury concerns of Shami and had revealed that the pacer still had issues with his knee. Shami had slammed the media reports of the same right before the New Zealand series when he was not named in the India squad against the Kiwis.