ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Shami proves his fitness with 10-over spell in Vijay Hazare Trophy

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami bowled a fantastic spell in Bengal's preliminary quarter-final game against Haryana in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. Shami bowled his full quota of 10 overs and hardly looked in any discomfort.

His fitness has been a huge cause of concern for India over the last few months. Shami had to miss the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his injury concerns. But with Champions Trophy 2025 just over a month away, his bowling was a huge plus for the Men in Blue.

Watch: Narayan Jagadeesan creates history; smashes 6 fours in an over in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Mohammed Shami bowls 10-over spell in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Mohammed Shami looks determined to return to India colors and it was visible during Bengal's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana on January 9. He bowled long spells and was able to extract good pace as well.

Shami picked up the big wicket of the opener Himanshu Rana in his opening spell when he had him caught behind for just 14. He didn't get any wickets in the middle overs but returned in the slog overs to pick up the wicket of the dangerous Dinesh Bana for 15.

The 34-year-old quick didn't stop here and took the wicket of the bowling allrounder Anshul Kamboj in his next over. He bowled four overs at the death. Although he was slightly expensive, he was able to pick up crucial wickets.

Mohammed Shami finished with 3-61 in his 10-over spell and was the highest wicket-taker for his team. It was the first time that he bowled his full quote in this season's Vijay Hazare Trophy. He had bowled just 8 overs each in his last two matches against Madhya Pradesh and Bihar respectively where he registered figures of 1-40 and 1-28.

Will Mohammed Shami make it to India's Champions Trophy squad?

India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 will be selected in the upcoming days and Mohammed Shami has staked a claim with a fine performance. He has proved his fitness with a spell of 10 overs and the selectors are likely to keep that in mind when they pick the team

Shami's experience will be valuable for India in the Champions Trophy. There are injury clouds over Jasprit Bumrah's participation after he suffered a side strain recently in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shami was in line to be selected for the Test series against Australia but swelling in his knee during his rehabilitation delayed his return. India missed his services as they were left with just two experienced quicks on helpful Australian wickets.

Haryana knocked Bengal out

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's exploits were unable to take Bengal home as they lost the match and were knocked out of the tournament. Haryana scored 298-9 while batting first on the back of fifties from Parth Vats and Nishant Sindhu. Sumit Kumar provided the late impetus with a fine 41 off 32 balls.

In reply, Bengal's batters got starts but none of them could convert them into big ones. Wicketkeeper Abishek Porel top-scored with 57 off 78 balls while opening the batting. Skipper Sudip Kumar Gharami and Anustup Majumdar scored thirties but they were not enough in the end as Bengal were bundled out for just 226.