IND vs AUS: Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami made his return to professional cricket in a Ranji Trophy encounter after getting sidelined by an ankle injury. He played a competitive cricket match after 360 days, the last being played at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The 34-year-old pacer finished with figures of 4/54 against Madhya Pradesh.
Shami’s sensational spell on his return ignited a Bengal comeback, restricting Madhya Pradesh to a total of 170. His sharp bowling and tactical brilliance proved too much for the Madhya Pradesh batters to handle, as he consistently troubled them with pace and movement.
The veteran fast bowler was unstoppable on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match, making it almost impossible for the batters to handle him. With accurate bowling, sharp movement, and clever variations, he kept troubling the Madhya Pradesh lineup. His brilliant performance gave Bengal a strong advantage and made him the star of the day. Shami also scored a stunning 37 runs in the second innings of the Bengal vs Madhya Pradesh Ranji Trophy match.
Said the Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla
“He bowled one six-over spell and one five-over spell. Players who bowl in the IPL don’t even know how to bowl more than four overs. He bowled the sort of spells fast bowlers are expected to. I have never seen a fast bowler come back so strongly after one year away. What he did today is like a fairy tale.”
Mohammad Shami’s stunning performance not only showcased his excellence but also set an example for several other upcoming fast bowlers in the coming years. His role seems extremely vital for Bengal’s strong resilience in the game against Madhya Pradesh.
“It seemed like a big partnership was happening, but Shami asked me for the ball and said he wanted to bowl a new spell from the following over. He has proven how desperate he was to return to the field. It didn’t seem to me that he was returning from an injury,”
Stated Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar
If Shami’s form continues to improve over the next week, he could have an outside chance of being included in the Indian squad for the upcoming Australian series. Shami returned to cricket with the red ball in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. Shami seems fully fit after his long rehab schedule, as his experience and accuracy can be an asset to India’s bowling attack for the upcoming BGT if he is picked further into the squad.
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