India pacer Mohammed Shami is all set to resume action at the first instance, playing for East Zone in their opening Duleep Trophy match against North Zone, as per the latest developments. It will mark the first red-ball outing for Shami since Bengal faced Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy match last year in November. Test Comeback Hopes Depend on Duleep Trophy Shami has been India's most consistent performer in all formats. The experienced fast bowler played a crucial role in leading India to the final of the 2023 World Cup, having produced numerous match-winning spells. But an ankle injury kept him sidelined for a long time and forced him to miss crucial red-ball series. Despite his efforts to regain fitness for the England tour, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee left him out due to lingering injury concerns, according to The Telegraph. The report mentions that the BCCI will closely monitor Shami’s fitness during the Duleep Trophy before making any decision on his Test future. While he is scheduled to play for the quarter-final against North Zone, the board wishes to determine whether his body can endure the load should East Zone make it to the semifinals. Also Read | When Did Virat Kohli Last Play a List A Game Besides ODIs? In an interaction with Telegraph, a BCCI insider said: “If Shami comes up with an impact-making performance against North Zone, the selectors will certainly take notice because his quality cannot be ruled out. But what we need to see is whether he’ll play even if East Zone clear the quarter-final stage and continue to make progress. Will his body permit, given his dodgy knee and hamstring?” The source further added: "How Shami fares in this Duleep Trophy will present a clearer picture of the prospects of his Test comeback. But one also needs to know if Shami himself is keen on making a comeback in the longest format." Sensational Test Career but Future in Doubt Shami boasts a fantastic Test career record, 229 wickets in 64 games at 27.7 and a strike rate of 50.3. But if he does not meet the selectors' standards for fitness, India can start planning to overhaul their Test team with him out of the picture. Until then, everyone will be waiting to see Shami perform in the Duleep Trophy to determine whether the seasoned pacer can write a script to return to Test cricket.