Mohammed Shami steers Bengal to thrilling 11-run victory over MP to confirm BGT selection

Team India veteran pace bowler Mohammed Shami played a crucial role in Bengal's win during the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Madhya Pradesh. Mohammed Shami was not at his best, but he contributed with both the bat and the ball at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday, November 16.

Shami made a strong comeback to competitive cricket after almost a year. He took four wickets for Bengal in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh. The 34-year-old pacer bowled 19 overs, including four maidens, conceding 54 runs while dismissing key players, including MP captain Shubham Sharma.

Bengal Secures Thrilling 11-Run Victory Over Madhya Pradesh

After taking 4/54 in Madhya Pradesh's first innings, Mohammed Shami claimed three more wickets for 102 runs in the second innings. Bengal secured a thrilling 11-run victory over Madhya Pradesh, who were dismissed for 326 runs while chasing a target of 338 runs in the final innings of the match.

Shami finished with impressive bowling figures of 7/156. He also made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring 37 runs off 36 balls in the second innings. Saransh Jain (50), Shubham Sharma (61), and Venkatesh Iyer (53) were among the runs for MP. Shahbaz Ahmed took four wickets for Bengal.

Mohammed Shami Takes Seven Wickets In Comeback Match

Shami dismissed night-watchman Anubhav Agarwal for 2 just before stumps. On the final day, Madhya Pradesh batters, including captain Shubham Sharma and Venkatesh Iyer, scored half-centuries. Shami then dismissed the in-form Rajat Patidar for 32 but conceded more than four runs per over.

Saransh Jain and Aryan Pandey added a 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed then took two wickets, leaving Madhya Pradesh needing 14 runs from the last wicket. Shami returned to dismiss Kumar Kartikeya, claiming his seventh wicket in the comeback match.

Mohammed Shami To Join Team India For Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Shami was not included in India’s 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but his childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, is hopeful that the pacer will join the team later in the series.

Badruddin believes that Shami will be an important addition for India in the second half of the tour after regaining his fitness and taking wickets, potentially after the Adelaide Test.

“He will be joining the Indian team after the Adelaide (second) Test. Now that he is back, proved his fitness, picked up wickets, he will be crucial for the team in the second half of the tour,” he told the Indian Express.

Shami has been a key member of India's pace attack since his debut in 2013. He has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls. He has also claimed 195 wickets in 101 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The Bengal pacer last played for India during the ODI World Cup 2023 loss to Australia in November.

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