Champions Trophy: I felt like a toddler learning how to walk, and I was worried about any complications, says Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami's triumphant return from injury with a five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh.

One of the hardest challenges for a sportsperson is to come back from a long injury layoff, especially if it happens in the later stages of one’s career.

Even though advances in sports science have increased the career span of modern-day athletes, an injury at the wrong time can derail the best-laid plans.

In the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh on Thursday (February 20, 2025), Mohammed Shami — almost one year after undergoing surgery on the right heel — showed he was nearly back to his best after scalping a five-wicket haul to set-up a six-wicket win for his side.

Since the surgery, the 34-year-old also had to deal with a lingering knee problem that delayed his return to international cricket.

Prior to his injury, Shami was at his peak and had a dream ODI World Cup in 2023 when he finished as the highest wicket-taker (24) from just seven games at an eye-popping strike rate of 12.20.

The pacer’s strength has always been his ability to keep an upright seam after release and to get the ball move both ways off the pitch, leaving the batters little time to adjust. It was evident from the first over when his in-dipper from around the wicket had Soumya Sarkar inside-edging to the ‘keeper and later took the dangerous Mehidy Hasan Miraz, caught at slip. Later, he used his slower-ball variations in the death overs to add three more to his kitty.

After the match, the speedster spoke about the challenges he faced during the 14 months he was away from the game.