Senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami delivered a masterclass in fast bowling during the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Jammu & Kashmir, registering his career-best first-class figures. Playing for Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, Shami's 8-wicket haul was instrumental in securing a vital first-innings lead for his side. This performance marks a significant milestone in Shami's journey back to competitive cricket following a long injury layoff.
Shami has been away from international cricket since the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia in June 2023. After undergoing surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation process, his return to domestic cricket was highly anticipated by both fans and national selectors, while his ability to bowl long spells in the semi-final indicates a return to peak physical condition, which is crucial for the red-ball format.
Career-Best Figures for Mohammed Shami
1 overs, conceding 90 runs while picking up 8 wickets. This surpasses his previous best figures in first-class cricket. Shami dismantled the Jammu & Kashmir batting lineup, consistently hitting the right lengths and forcing errors from the batsmen. According to match officials, Shami maintained a steady pace throughout his spells, demonstrating that his rhythm remains intact despite the hiatus.
Bengal's First Innings and Sudip Gharami's Century
Earlier in the match, Bengal won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a competitive total of 328 runs in their first innings. The cornerstone of the Bengal innings was Sudip Kumar Gharami, who played a brilliant knock of 146 runs. Gharami's century provided the necessary cushion for the bowlers to attack. Despite losing wickets at intervals, Bengal managed to cross the 300-run mark, which eventually proved to be a decisive total in the context of the first-innings lead.
Jammu and Kashmir's Resistance and Collapse
Jammu & Kashmir started their response cautiously and showed signs of resistance in the middle order. However, they couldn't withstand the relentless pressure applied by Shami. The team was eventually bowled out for 302 runs, falling short of Bengal's total by 26 runs. While a few J&K batsmen managed to score half-centuries, they failed to convert them into big scores as Shami kept striking at regular intervals. This gave Bengal a psychological and tactical advantage heading into the second half of the match.
Support from Mukesh Kumar and Bowling Analysis
While Shami was the star of the show, he received significant support from fellow pacer Mukesh Kumar, while mukesh claimed 2 wickets, ensuring that the pressure remained constant from both ends. The Bengal bowling unit functioned cohesively, restricting the scoring rate and forcing the J&K batsmen into risky shots. Shami’s 8 wickets included several dismissals where the stumps were uprooted, highlighting his trademark accuracy and late movement.
Implications for National Team Selection
Shami's performance in the Ranji Trophy semi-final is expected to be a major talking point for the national selection committee, while with several high-profile Test series on the horizon, including the tour of England, Shami’s return to form is a positive development for the Indian pace battery. His workload and fitness will continue to be monitored by the medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before a final call is made regarding his inclusion in the senior national squad.