Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, spearheading Bengal’s thrilling 11-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter. Shami’s impressive performance, including a seven-wicket haul, bodes well for Team India ahead of their upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
In the match, Bengal posted a competitive 228 runs in their first innings, with Shahbaz Ahmed’s quickfire 92 leading the charge. Madhya Pradesh’s bowlers, Aryan Pandey and Kulwant Khejroliya, claimed four wickets each.
Shami’s impact was immediate as he ripped through Madhya Pradesh’s batting lineup, claiming four wickets for 54 runs in the first innings. His incisive bowling, coupled with contributions from Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, and Rohit Kumar, restricted Madhya Pradesh to 167 runs, giving Bengal a 61-run lead.
In the second innings, Bengal capitalized on their advantage, posting a formidable 276 runs. Writtick Chatterjee and Wriddhiman Saha anchored the innings with half-centuries, while Shami’s valuable 37-run cameo propelled Bengal to a challenging target of 338 runs.
Madhya Pradesh’s chase fell agonizingly short as they were bowled out for 326 runs. Skipper Shubham Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, and Subhranshu Senapati scored half-centuries, but Shami’s 3/102 in 24.2 overs proved too much to overcome. Shahbaz Ahmed’s all-round performance, including 4/48 with the ball, earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Shami’s return to domestic cricket is a significant milestone in his comeback journey. His sensational performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, showcased his exceptional talent. Despite missing the T20 World Cup due to injury, Shami’s return to form is a welcome boost for Team India.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Shami’s experience and proven track record in Australia will be invaluable. India’s pace attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and promising talents like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, will benefit immensely from Shami’s guidance and leadership.
