India’s star pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his return to competitive cricket, representing Bengal in their Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Madhya Pradesh at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium. The much-anticipated Elite Group C clash kicks off on Wednesday, November 13, marking Shami’s comeback to domestic cricket after nearly a year’s absence. His last competitive outing was the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia on November 19 last year in Ahmedabad.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) announced Shami’s inclusion in the squad, a move that’s expected to boost Bengal’s morale as they strive for a place in the next round of the Ranji Trophy. “Shami’s inclusion in the Bengal team will not just be a big boost but also lift the morale of the entire team, which aims to make it to the next round of the Ranji Trophy,” read the CAB’s statement.
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Bengal currently sits fifth in the standings with eight points from four matches, having faced rain interruptions that hampered their campaign. Led by Anustup Majumdar, Bengal is now aiming for a decisive win over the five-time Ranji champions. Shami’s presence comes as a timely reinforcement for Bengal, especially given that Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, key players for Bengal, are preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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Mohammed Shami all set to return to competitive cricket. The pacer will feature in Bengal’s next #RanjiTrophy fixture against Madhya Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/a0SktUrDwN— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 12, 2024
Bengal’s head coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who has shared IPL stints with Shami at the Kolkata Knight Riders, expressed optimism about Shami’s participation. According to Shukla, Shami’s performance in the Ranji fixture will be an essential preparation for the upcoming tour of Australia.
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“He is a valuable player for India, and his presence will be crucial for the Australia series. Shami recently mentioned how keen he is to play a couple of Ranji games for Bengal before heading Down Under. Good performances in the Ranji Trophy will help him ahead of the Australia tour and provide a boost for Bengal, especially with our four key players currently playing for India and India A,” Shukla shared with The Indian Express.
Although Shami hasn’t yet been named in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, his fitness and performance in the Ranji clash against Madhya Pradesh could pave the way for a late addition, providing India with a reliable option in their pace attack.
