Shami, who last played in the 50-over World Cup final against Australia, has been out of the Indian side since, recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. He has not been named in the squad for India's two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on September 19. However, Shami remains focused on regaining full fitness and is carefully plotting his return to the Indian team for the upcoming home series against New Zealand, and potentially, the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia starting on November 22. In a recent interaction, Shami expressed that he was in no rush to return. "I'm trying to return to the fold soon. I know I have been out of the team for a while. At the same time, I want to come back only when I feel 100 per cent. I won't return until there's even a semblance of doubt. I don't want to take any chances," Shami said.

 The 34-year-old pacer has resumed light training and bowling at the nets, but his primary focus is on strength-building at this stage.

He emphasized that he has not set a specific target for his return, whether it be for the Bangladesh, New Zealand, or Australia series.

Shami's path to the national team may include playing domestic cricket for Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Snehasish Ganguly, recently confirmed that Shami has been included in Bengal's list of probables for the Ranji season, starting with a match against Uttar Pradesh on October 11.

Ganguly mentioned that Shami is keen to play a couple of domestic games, which could give him a platform to showcase his fitness ahead of the New Zealand and Australia Test series. While Shami remained non-committal about his participation in Bengal's Ranji fixtures, he reiterated his passion for representing his home state. "I always like to play for Bengal," he stated, leaving the door open for his involvement. For now, Shami is focused on a measured comeback, with both the New Zealand and Australia series in sight, and Bengal could provide him with the ideal proving ground for his return to international cricket.