 "Mohammed Shami announces comeback with four-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy, raises hopes for Border-Gavaskar Trophy")
Mohammed Shami raised hopes for a quick return to international cricket as he took four wickets for Bengal on Thursday in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium. Shami made a comeback to competitive cricket on Day 1 of the Bengal vs MP Ranji Trophy match on Wednesday after a gap of 360 days.
His first contribution was with the bat where he scored 2 runs as Bengal were bowled out for 228 in the Elite Group C match. Shami also bowled 10 overs without any success and gave away 34 runs.
Wickets on comeback for Shami
On Thursday (14 November), Shami roared back to form by taking four wickets in the next nine overs. Shami finished the innings with a bowling figure of 4/54 from 19 overs as MP were bowled out for 167.
This is Shami’s first competitive match since the ODI World Cup final against Australia on 19 November 2023, in which India lost by six wickets. Shami was the top wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup as he took 24 wickets in just five matches but suffered an ankle injury.
The 34-year-old pacer underwent surgery in London in February this year to repair his Achilles tendon. He returned to bowling in the nets in July but has not been able to attain match fitness since then, finally making a return on Wednesday.
Team India hopes for Shami boost
In Shami’s absence, India have picked fast bowlers Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana besides Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for the tour of Australia.
If selectors are satisfied with Shami’s recovery after his return to the Ranji Trophy then he could be sent to Australia for later matches in the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The final Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starts only on 3 January which means Shami still has some time to prove his fitness.
Shami’s addition to the squad will be a major boost for Team India who recently suffered a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home.
Shami has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.71.
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