India’s top pacer Mohammed Shami is recovering from ankle surgery and is expected to play in the home Test series against Bangladesh later this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah told PTI Comeback. Shami missed the five-match Test series against England and will also miss the IPL after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery last month.

Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup and was a standout performer for the team. India will host Bangladesh in two Test matches and three T20 Internationals in September.

“Shami’s surgery has been completed and he is back in India. Shami is likely to return for the home series against Bangladesh. KL Rahul needs an injection and he has started recovery and is in the NCA,” Shah said while talking to the media .

Rahul missed the last four Test matches of the England series after complaining of right quadriceps pain. After undergoing treatment in London, he is expected to feature in the IPL for Lucknow Supergiants.

Rishabh Pant expected to return to IPL

The BCCI secretary also gave an update on Rishabh Pant, who will make his much-awaited comeback in the IPL. Pant has been sidelined since a horrific car accident in December 2022.

“He’s batting well and staying well. We will announce his recovery soon. If he can play in the T20 World Cup for us, it will be a big thing for us. He will be a huge asset for us of wealth.

“If he can stay, he can play in the World Cup. Let’s see how he performs in the IPL,” Shah said.

The accident seriously injured Pant’s right knee, which required ligament reconstruction surgery in addition to broken wrists and ankles. But he did a great job of rebounding.

Ricky Ponting, the head coach of his IPL team Delhi Capitals, has said that he will play in the league.

IPL does not accept foreign investment

When asked about the potential of foreign investment in the IPL, Shah said it was not possible considering the BCCI is an association and not a company.

“BCCI is a society and no one can invest in it,” Shah asserted.

Reports emerged last year that Saudi Arabia was considering investing billions in the IPL.

In India, registered societies are not allowed to accept foreign investment without approval from the central government and the Reserve Bank of India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)