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India veteran speedster Mohammed Shami picked up four wickets in his first innings on Ranji Trophy comeback during the Bengal vs Madhya Pradesh clash at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The 34-year-old went wicketless on Day 1 in his 10-over spell. He got four scalps in the first session on Day 2 to help Bengal secure a 61-run first-innings lead over the hosts.
Shami struck early, dismissing MP captain Shubham Sharma for eight runs before coming back to clean up the tail. In his 18th over, he bowled out all-rounder Saransh Jain and then took out Kumar Kartikeya and Khulwant Khejroliya in consecutive deliveries in the following over. The experienced pacer ended as Bengal’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 19 overs, 4 maidens, 54 runs, and 4 wickets.
In videos from the first day’s play circulating on social media, Shami seemed to be bowling at a gentler pace. Despite not operating at full speed, he frequently beat the edge of MP batters, including Rajat Patidar. Opening the bowling alongside his brother Mohammed Kaif, Shami delivered two separate spells in the evening after Bengal was dismissed for 228 upon being asked to bat first. This marks the first occasion the brothers are playing together at the senior level.
This is Shami's first Ranji Trophy match for Bengal since November 2018. He last featured in a one-off game against Kerala before embarking on a Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia. Mohammed Shami last played an international game in 2023 during ODI World Cup where he ended the campaign as the highest wicket-taker. He picked up 24 wickets in the marquee event where India lost the final against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
After his heroics in domestic cricket, the veteran pacer will most likely be fast-tracked to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 which is scheduled to start from November 22. India will play five Test matches against Australia. This Test series is important for India to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Shami will be a vital cog for India in Australia considering his experience.
