Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami bowled a brilliant spell in Bengal's preliminary quarter-final match against Haryana in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. Shami bowled his full quota of 10 overs and didn't look any bother.
His fitness has been a major cause of concern for India over the past few months. Shami had to miss the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his injury concerns. But with the 2025 Champions Trophy just over a month away, his bowling has been a big plus for the Men in Blue.
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Mohammed Shami bowls 10 spells in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Mohammed Shami seems determined to return to Indian colors and it was evident during Bengal's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana on January 9. He played long spells and was able to create good pace as well.
Shami picked up the big wicket of opener Himanshu Rana in his opening spell when he held him back for just 14. He did not take any wickets in the middle overs but came back in the hard knocks to pick up dangerous wickets. Dinesh Bana for 15.
The 34-year-old fast bowler did not stop here and took the wicket from the bowler Anshul Kamboj In his next term. He has bowled four overs at the death. Although he was a bit expensive, he was able to pick up the crucial wickets.
Mohammed Shami finished with 3-61 in his 10-year spell and was the highest wicket-taker for his team. This was the first time he bowled the full citation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season. He bowled just 8 overs in his last two matches against Madhya Pradesh and Bihar respectively where he registered figures of 1-40 and 1-28.
Will Mohammed Shami make it into the Indian Champions Trophy squad?
India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 will be selected in the coming days and Mohammed Shami has performed well. He has proven his fitness with 10 overs and selectors are likely to keep that in mind when they pick the team.
Shami's experience will be valuable for India in the Champions Trophy. There are injury clouds Jasprit BumrahAfter suffering a side strain recently in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Shami was in line to be selected for the test series against Australia, but swelling in his knee during his rehabilitation delayed his return. India missed out on his services as they were left with only two experienced fast bowlers on the useful Australian wicket.
Haryana ousted Bengal
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami's exploits could not bring Bengal home as they lost the match and were eliminated from the tournament. Haryana scored 298-9 while batting first on the back of fifties from Parth Vats and Nishant Sindhu. Sumit Kumar provided the late momentum with a fine 41 off 32 balls.
In response, Bengal's batsmen got going, but none of them could turn them into big overs. Wicket keeper Abhishek Porel He top-scored with 57 off 78 balls while opening the batting. Skipper Sudip Kumar Gharami and Anustub Majumdar scored thirty runs but it was not enough in the end as Bengal were bowled out for just 226 runs.
