Mohammed Shami marked his stunning comeback as he took four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the on-going Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Elite Group C being played at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Shami’s magnificent spell saw Bengal bowl out MP for only 167 runs in 59 overs, providing his team with an important lead of 61 runs from the first innings. The total he defended with figures of 4 for 54 from 19 overs.

Mohammed Shami Dismantles MP’s Batting Lineup

While Shami was wicketless in the third session of the first day, he roared back on day two, Thursday, November 14, leading Bengal’s charge. He broke MP’s top order, getting the wicket of captain Shubman Sharma, who fell to 8 runs, sending his stumps flying. And that is where Shami added Saransh Jain (7 runs) and Kumar Kartikeya (9 runs), the latter gloved behind by Wriddhiman Saha. Then, in the next ball Shami bagged his fourth wicket by getting Kulwant Khejroliya on a golden duck, the MP’s batting just crumbling.

Not that Shami was the only nonconformist; his younger brother Mohammed Kaif also saw some action and picked 2 wickets for 41 runs in 13 overs.

Shami’s Stunning Comeback After Injury

Shami, India’s star performer during the 2023 World Cup, could only get only 2 balls on the bat on Day 1 with only 2 runs notched off 6 balls. Shami has had a wonderful run so far before the injury and played the last seven World Cup matches. He took 24 wickets. The best bowling performance that came out of his bag is, however, the first semifinal against New Zealand on November 15, 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium. In that game, he claimed 7 wickets for 57 runs in just 9.5 overs – it remains the best ever bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a 50-over World Cup match.