India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami made his much-awaited comeback to professional cricket after a year-long injury hiatus, playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday.
Bengal’s struggles and Mohammed Shami’s return
Madhya Pradesh won the toss and opted to field first, leaving Bengal in a difficult position early on. Bengal were reduced to 33/3 and 79/5, with no significant partnerships forming until Shahbaz Ahmed and captain Anustup Majumdar put on 96 for the sixth wicket. Shahbaz top-scored with a valuable 92, helping Bengal reach a total of 228 all out.
As the evening session began on day one, all eyes were on Shami, who was making his first appearance since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia on November 19. It also marked his return to first-class cricket since playing in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June of the same year.
Shami opened the bowling for Bengal, but it was clear that he was still finding his rhythm after a long layoff. While he managed to get a few deliveries to beat the bat and sent down a couple of sharp bouncers, there were also some loose deliveries, including wide balls, which indicated his rustiness.
Here is the video:
Mohammed Shami Bowling vs MP in the #RanjiTrophy.
Video – @mp_score_update and Saurajit Chatterjee pic.twitter.com/4kU1Rxlcj6
— CricDomestic (@CricDomestic_) November 13, 2024
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Injury concerns and future plans
Apart from his bowling, spectators noticed Shami appearing to have trouble with his left ankle during the match. His fitness will be closely monitored, with India keen on ensuring that he doesn’t rush back into the national setup too quickly. Despite not being named in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami’s successful comeback could potentially see him make a late inclusion for the latter half of the series, provided his fitness improves.
Shami’s impact on Day 2
Although Shami went wicketless on the first day, he played a crucial role on the morning of day two (November 14), helping trigger a collapse for Madhya Pradesh. He finished with impressive figures of 19-4-54-4, proving his worth with the ball and showing glimpses of the bowler who has been a key figure for India in the past.
Shami’s return to competitive cricket after an injury break is an encouraging sign, and fans and selectors alike will be watching closely as he looks to regain his full form in the coming weeks.
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