Mohammed Shami’s much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after a year-long absence was met with challenges as Bengal faced Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
On a greenish pitch with moisture, Madhya Pradesh elected to field and capitalized on the conditions. Aryan Pandey and Kulwant Khejroliya’s four-wicket hauls restricted Bengal to a modest 228 in the first innings.
Bengal’s batting woes began early as Shuvam Dey was dismissed cheaply. Khejroliya then wreaked havoc, removing Sudip Gharami, Rohit Kumar, and Sudip Chatterjee in quick succession. Shahbaz Ahmed (92) and Anustup Majumdar (44) steadied the ship with a 96-run partnership, but Khejroliya broke the stand to dismiss Majumdar.
Shahbaz played a rash shot and narrowly missed a century. In reply, Madhya Pradesh openers Subhransu Senapati (44*) and Rajat Patidar (41*) provided a solid start, taking their team to 103 for one at stumps.
Shami, who underwent Achilles tendon surgery in February, bowled with good control but lacked rhythm. He finished with figures of 0-16 and 0-18 in his two spells.
Bengal coach L.R. Shukla acknowledged the challenges Shami faced, saying, “It’s never easy to come back from a surgery and bowl after a year. The more Shami plays, the better he will become.”
