Mohammed Shami has made a strong return to competitive cricket after almost a year, signaling his potential comeback to India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024-25.
Shami had been out of action since India’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery earlier this year.
The 34-year-old pacer was set to return for the Test series against New Zealand but faced another setback causing him to miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad for 2024-25.
Now Shami is back in action playing for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 in a match against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
On the first day, Madhya Pradesh bowled Bengal out for 228 and ended the day at 103/1. Shami went wicketless but bowled well on a lively green pitch, finishing with figures of 10 overs for 34 runs, including a maiden.
His opening spell of four overs saw him concede just 16 runs and his second spell of six overs allowed only 18 more runs with a maiden.
On Day 2 Shami returned in top form helping Bengal restrict Madhya Pradesh to 167, securing a 61-run lead. Shami took four wickets in the first session, starting with Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma for just eight runs.
Later, Shami cleaned up the lower order. In his 18th over, he dismissed all-rounder Saransh Jain, and in his next over, he took two quick wickets, sending Kumar Kartikeya and Khulwant Khejroliya back to the pavilion.
Shami was Bengal’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 54 in 19 overs before lunch on Day 2. This match marked Shami’s first Ranji Trophy appearance for Bengal since November 2018.
