Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami made a strong comeback in the Ranji Trophy. He took four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. This match marked his first appearance in the tournament since November 2018.
Day 1 Struggles and Day 2 Brilliance
On Day 1, Shami bowled ten overs but did not take any wickets. He seemed to struggle with his rhythm. However, he turned things around on Day 2. He struck early by dismissing Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma for just eight runs.
Shami continued to dominate in the first session. He bowled out all-rounder Saransh Jain in his 18th over. In the next over, he took two more wickets, dismissing Kumar Kartikeya and Khulwant Khejroliya with consecutive deliveries.
Shami finished with impressive figures of 19 overs, 4 maidens, 54 runs, and 4 wickets. His performance helped Bengal secure a 61-run lead over Madhya Pradesh.
Shami’s last competitive match was in November 2023 during the ODI World Cup final. He had been sidelined due to an ankle injury that required surgery. Following his recovery, he faced additional setbacks with a swollen knee and a side strain.
A Special Moment for Mohammed Shami with His Brother
This match was special for Shami as he played alongside his brother, Mohammed Kaif. This was their first time playing together at the senior level. They opened the bowling for Bengal, creating a memorable moment for their family and fans.
Shami had been sidelined for several months due to injuries. His last competitive match was during the ODI World Cup final in November 2023. He had surgery on an ankle injury and faced setbacks with a swollen knee and a side strain during recovery.
Shami’s strong performance in the Ranji Trophy could fast-track him into India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting on November 22. India will face Australia in five Test matches that are crucial for World Test Championship qualification.
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