Mohammed Shami does the unthinkable in Ranji Trophy comeback, Australia tickets booked

Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar opened up about Mohammed Shami's return to competitive cricket in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. Anustup Majumdar said that Mohammed Shami had been "desperate to return," adding that it didn't seem like he was returning from an injury.

Shami had been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia due to an ankle injury. He underwent Achilles tendon surgery in February. He had an extensive period of rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru before making his comeback to competitive cricket.

Bengal Advised to be Cautious with Mohammed Shami's Workload

The 34-year-old pacer was declared fit to play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh, which began on Wednesday, November 13, in Indore. Shami failed to take any wickets in his first two spells. However, he silenced some doubts by taking 4 wickets for 54 during the first innings.

As per ESPNcricinfo, Bengal was advised to be cautious with Shami's workload by not bowling long spells. Nitin Patel, the head of the Centre of Excellence's medical panel, closely monitored over the last two days. Patel will submit a report to the national selectors and team management after the match.

Shami Asked Me For The Ball - Anustup Majumdar

Anustup Majumdar recalled that Mohammed Shami asked him for the ball when a partnership was brewing between Rajat Patidar and Subhranshu Senapati. Majumdar said Shami didn't look like he was returning from an injury.

"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," Majumdar told ESPNcricinfo.

Excellent comeback 💥@MdShami11 bowled an impressive spell of 4/54 on his comeback, playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the #RanjiTrophy match in Indore 👌👌

Watch 📽️ highlights of his spell in the first innings 🔽@IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard: https://t.co/54IeDz9fWu pic.twitter.com/sxKktrQJbL

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) November 14, 2024

Three of Shami's four wickets came through bowled dismissals. He cleaned up captain Shubham Sharma, Saransh Jain, and Kulwant Khejroliya, while Kumar Kartikeya was dismissed and caught behind.

What He Did Today Is Like A Fairy Tale - Laxmi Ratan Shukla

Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said that Mohammed Shami returned without any match simulation. Shukla said that he was impressed with Shami's ability to bowl two long spells. He described Shami's comeback as a fairy tale.

"Someone has come back after one year and has bowled 19 overs and taken so many wickets. ... what's there to say? He came into the match without doing any match simulation. Can you imagine? But obviously, if he plays more, he will get better," Shukla said.

"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," he added.

Also read: Ian Healy warns Team India ahead of BGT 2024-25: ‘Closed-door training never worked'