Rohit Sharma hints at Mohammed Shami's return with a cautionary note

Adelaide: While saying that the "door was very much open" for Mohammed Shami's return to the Indian squad, Rohit Sharma struck a cautionary note, revealing a second swelling in his left knee while playing in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament.

The 35-year-old underwent a surgery in February this year for an ankle injury on the same leg.

The Indian skipper had mentioned about Shami developing a swelling in the same knee during a news conference early November, ahead of India's first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru where the veteran pacer had been going through a rehab programme.      

"We are just monitoring him because while playing (in the) Syed Mushtaq Ali, he again got some swelling in his knee," Rohit said while replying to a pointed question on the possibility of a return of the paceman to the Indian squad in Australia.

"Obviously (that) hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful. We don't want to bring him here in a situation and he plays and then he pulls up sore or something happens. We don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. So, there are some professionals who are monitoring him," he elaborated.

Since returning to competitive cricket In November, Shami has played a Ranji Trophy match, in which he bowled 43.2 overs both innings combined for seven wickets, and seven T20 matches in the SMAT tournament.

There are reports that Shami would be ready to play the fourth Test in Melbourne.  

"They (National Cricket Academy medical staff) are there with him and we will take the call based on what those guys feel there. Because they are the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game, after bowling 4 overs, standing for 20 overs. So, we just have to be very, very careful. But again, like I said, that door is very much open for him to come and play anytime," the Indian captain said.