Mohammed Shami Shines on Ranji Trophy Return with Four Wickets

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami made a stellar return to Ranji Trophy cricket, claiming four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. On Day 2 of the match, the 34-year-old fast bowler recovered from a wicket-less first day, striking in the opening session to help Bengal secure a valuable 61-run first-innings lead.

Shami dismantled MP’s lineup, beginning with the crucial wicket of captain Shubham Sharma for just eight runs. Later, he ripped through the lower order, bowling Saransh Jain in his 18th over and then dismissing Kumar Kartikeya and Khulwant Khejroliya on consecutive deliveries in his next. Shami finished as Bengal’s standout bowler with figures of 19-4-54-4.

During the previous day’s play, social media footage showed Shami appearing slightly cautious with his approach, yet consistently troubling the Madhya Pradesh batters, including Rajat Patidar. Shami shared the new ball with his brother, Mohammed Kaif, marking the first time the two have played together at the senior level. His last Ranji Trophy appearance for Bengal was in November 2018, just before he joined India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he played a crucial role in India’s historic 2-1 series victory.

If Shami remains fully fit, he is anticipated to join India’s lineup for the second leg of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, which begins in Perth on November 22.

Image Credits: FirstPost

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