Mohammed Shami picks four for Bengal, takes first step to Australia

Pace bowler Mohammed Shami took the first big step in his comeback to the Indian cricket team after he picked four wickets for 54 in 19 overs runs for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh (MP) in a Ranji Trophy match in Indore on Thursday.

Shami has not played competitive cricket since the 50-over World Cup Final against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023.

He had played the World Cup with an ankle injury and underwent surgery soon after that. He had been recuperating from it over the past few months.

The right-arm pace bowler was not named in India’s squad for Australia Tests that begin at Perth on November 22.

He missed the Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka from November 6-9 and was also not named in the squad for the game against MP.

However, www.thedelhijunction.com had reported on November 4 that he will play the match against MP from November 13.

Shami had bowled 10 overs on Day 1 without picking any wicket as MP reached 103/1 in response to Bengal’s 228.

However, after Suraj Jaiswal got two early wickets, Shami removed skipper Shubham Sharma for eight. The 34-year-old then mopped up the tail, picking the last three wickets as MP folded for 167, losing the last nine wickets for 64 runs on Day 2 morning.

Bengal took a 61-run lead and were 170/5 at the end of second day’s play. They led by 231 runs.

While it is unlikely Shami will play the first Test, he could be in the reckoning for the second Test that begins on December 6 at Adelaide, if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decide to fly him in. That Test is a day-nighter and Shami’s seam movement could come in handy.

India play a two-day game against Prime Minister’s XI on November 30 and December 1.

The Indians have a fairly young pace attack with only Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj among the five pacemen having played Tests in Australia before. Nitish Kumar Reddy is the sixth pace bowling option though he comes in the all-rounder category.

Tags : Mohammed Shami, Indian cricket team, Australia, Test, Ranji Trophy, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Indore