The Duleep Trophy 2026/27 is set to reach its climax with East Zone taking on South Zone in the final at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, September 6. Ahead of the summit clash, veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami received a special felicitation from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after reaching the milestone of 100 first-class appearances.
East Zone has reached the Duleep Trophy final for the first time in 14 years under the leadership of Ishan Kishan. The team will now aim to secure its third title, with Shami expected to play a crucial role in the bowling attack. The experienced pacer will also have an opportunity to make a strong case for an India comeback after being overlooked by the national selectors despite impressive performances in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Ahead of the final, CAB treasurer Sanjay Das, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi felicitated Shami for his achievement. The veteran pacer was presented with a special jersey carrying his name and the number ‘100’ on the back as those present congratulated him on reaching the landmark.
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The 36-year-old has not represented India since the Champions Trophy 2025, where he played a key role in the team’s title-winning campaign. Shami finished as one of India’s leading wicket-takers in the tournament with nine wickets. However, a series of injuries kept him away from international cricket despite encouraging performances in domestic competitions.
Shami has taken 382 wickets, including 15 five-wicket hauls, in his 99 first-class matches. During the Duleep Trophy 2026 semi-final against Central Zone, he claimed five wickets across the two innings, taking two wickets in the first innings and three in the second. One of his important dismissals was that of Aryan Juyal, who scored 46 in Central Zone’s first innings.
Cricket Association Of Bengal felicitates Shami on 100th First-Class milestone 👏🏽#Cricket #Shami #DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/CalPmzG7Nb
— CREX (@Crex_live) September 5, 2026
The pacer also enjoyed a productive Ranji Trophy campaign for Bengal, claiming 37 wickets to finish as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker. His wider domestic record includes 283 wickets in 149 List A matches and 238 wickets in 196 T20 games. Overall, Shami has now crossed the landmark of 900 wickets in domestic cricket.
East Zone secured their place in the final by defeating Central Zone by four wickets in the semi-final. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed in both innings, scoring 92 and 40, while Abhimanyu Easwaran contributed a half-century in the first innings.
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Ishan Kishan has also backed Shami for an India return, highlighting his consistent domestic performances and continued hunger. Kishan believes Shami still possesses the same determination he displayed during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets.
