10 January,2016 08:07 AM IST | | Bipin Dani
Shami will arrive in Garden City today for rehab stint at National Cricket Academy after hurting his hamstring in Western Australia
Mohammad Shami
Mohammad Shami, who has been ruled out of the limited overs series in Australia due to a hamstring injury, will head straight to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore today, according to a family member. The injured pacer made a comeback to the Indian team after a knee injury and will be under the care of former India physiotherapist Andrew Leipus in Bangalore.
Mohammad Shami. Pic/AFP
Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who successfully treated Shami for his knee injury was speechless when the news about the fast bowler being ruled out for the limited overs series in Australia was delivered to him on Saturday. "Oh, no... is it the same knee injury," Dr Pardiwala asked emphatically. "I spoke to Leipus at around 12.30 pm, but he had no knowledge of this latest development."
A Grade-II injury
When informed that it was not Shami's troublesome knee, but a hamstring injury that occurred in Perth during a net session, Dr Pardiwala said: "Before going to Australia, Shami underwent stringent tests for his knee and I was fully confident about his recovery. This (hamstring) is a new injury and has nothing to do with the knee problem. It can happen to any player. I am sure the team physio (Patrick Farhat) must have taken him for an MRI. If it is a Grade-I hamstring injury, he can be cured in two-three weeks' time, but if it is Grade-II or Grade-III, Shami will be out again for at least three months."
Later, a Board of Control for Cricket in India media release said it is a Grade II injury. Dr Pardiwala was to follow Shami's performance in Australia keenly. Following an injury to his knee, which kept the 25-year-old fast bowler out of the game for nearly nine months, Shami underwent a successful surgery at Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital.
Before leaving for Australia earlier this week, Shami had described the injury as most distressing and hoped he would never get injured again. "Shami had a severe knee injury. Often, such injuries are career-threatening for high level athletes.
He underwent a successful arthroscopic corrective surgery and was diligent in his post-operative rehabilitation. His, and the physios' hard work paid off since he made a remarkable recovery. The knee problem itself was severe. Although it normally takes four months for the surgical repair to heal, it often takes another 4-6 months to be match fit," Dr Pardiwala revealed.
Never-say-die approach
He added: "His positive attitude and never-say-die approach ensured his return to competitive cricket." Dr Pardiwala heads the Centre for Sports Medicine and Director - Arthroscopy Service at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Shami presented his doctor with one of his India jerseys.
