Mohammed Shami keeps Border-Gavaskar Trophy selection hopes alive with toiling 10-over spell in Ranji Trophy return to prove fitness

Mohammed Shami made his competitive cricket comeback on Wednesday, but he failed to take any wickets in the opening day of the Madhya Pradesh vs Bengal's Ranji Trophy 2024–25 match at Indore's Holkar Stadium. The 34-year-old bowler conceded 34 runs in the first innings of Madhya Pradesh while bowling 10 overs. The host put in Bengal to bat first but they could only manage to score 228 runs. While batting Shami scored two runs off 6 balls.

Rajat Patidar and Subhransu Senapati were at the crease as Madhya Pradesh finished the first day at 103 for 1. The ODI World Cup final against Australia and India in November 2023 was Shami's last competitive game prior to this. After that game, he had surgery for an ankle injury that kept him out for almost a year.

After bowling to India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar following the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, the India international, who took the most wickets at the World Cup with 24 in seven games, appeared to be very close to making a comeback. Despite not being selected for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Shami's strong results with Bengal may lead to his inclusion in India's squad.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy hopes alive

India is set to compete against Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is a five-match Test series. The opening game will be played at Perth's Optus Stadium, on November 22. The current Indian pace battery is mainly highlighted by Jasprit Bumrah who will have the support of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana.

It lacks a little experience but if Shami is eventually added to the squad he will be able to fill that hole. His performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match will be extremely crucial for that.

India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.