Cricket

Mohammed Shami's Return Boosts India's Hopes for Border-Gavaskar TrophyWith the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia approaching, the return of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has ignited excitement among Indian cricket enthusiasts. Shami, who has been sidelined with a long-term injury, made a remarkable comeback in the Ranji Trophy, sparking calls for his inclusion in the Test squad.Kirti Azad, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, believes Shami should be part of the squad for the second Test in Adelaide, provided he is fully fit. "Mohammed Shami is the best seam bowler India has," Azad said. "He has excellent control, can swing both ways, and is a very sensible bowler."Shami's return to competitive cricket has been impressive. In his first match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, he claimed a seven-wicket haul, dismantling the opposition's batting lineup. He also contributed with the bat, scoring a quickfire 37 runs.To gain more playing time, Shami will represent Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth, followed by a Day-Night encounter in Adelaide from December 6.Azad acknowledged the challenges of playing in Australia, particularly on the bouncy wickets of Perth and Melbourne. However, he expressed confidence in the Indian team's ability to adapt to any conditions. "The Indian team is capable of playing on any track," he said. "They have played against international bowlers and batters in IPL matches."Shami's return provides a significant boost to India's bowling attack. His experience, skill, and ability to swing the ball both ways will be crucial in the upcoming series. With Shami in the squad, India will have a more balanced and formidable bowling unit capable of challenging Australia's formidable batting lineup.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to make his return to domestic cricket with Bengal in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The announcement comes as a welcome boost for Team India, which is preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia with a relatively inexperienced pace attack.Shami's return to domestic cricket marks an important step in his comeback journey. The 32-year-old has been sidelined with injuries for much of the past year, but he has shown signs of regaining his form in recent matches. In Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, Shami took seven wickets and scored 36 runs, demonstrating his all-round abilities.Shami's form is a positive sign for Team India, which is heading to Australia with a pace attack that lacks experience at the highest level. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the only two bowlers in the squad with significant Test experience, while the likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep are yet to establish themselves at the international level.Shami's experience would be invaluable in Australia, where he has a proven track record. In eight Tests down under, he has taken 31 wickets at an average of 32.16, including best figures of 6/56. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace would be a major asset for India in the challenging conditions in Australia.If included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami will be looking to reclaim his spot in the Indian team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and the Indian Premier League in 2025. His return to domestic cricket is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

Mohammed Shami's recent return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff has sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in India's Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that rushing Shami into Test cricket after just one game may be premature.In his Ranji Trophy comeback match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, Shami bowled 43.2 overs and claimed a seven-wicket haul. While his performance was encouraging, Chopra feels that Shami still needs more time to regain his full fitness and rhythm."Mohammed Shami has played a match (Ranji). We weren't able to see much of his bowling as it was not being streamed. We did see the wickets he took. I'd say he is undercooked," Chopra said. "Honestly, we want Shami to be there (in Australia) because Bumrah, Shami, Siraj -- there's a different ring to it. In Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep combination, we can see a bit of weakness. Lack of experience can be felt."Chopra also expressed concerns about the potential for injury recurrence in Australia's soft grounds. "Secondly, the grounds in Australia are very soft, so there are chances of recurrence of injury. I would say Shami should take more time. We all want Shami to play as soon as possible, but we shouldn't hurry his return," he added.India's pace department for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Washington Sundar are the three spinners in the squad.The first Test between India and Australia begins on November 22 in Perth.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, spearheading Bengal's thrilling 11-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter. Shami's impressive performance, including a seven-wicket haul, bodes well for Team India ahead of their upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.In the match, Bengal posted a competitive 228 runs in their first innings, with Shahbaz Ahmed's quickfire 92 leading the charge. Madhya Pradesh's bowlers, Aryan Pandey and Kulwant Khejroliya, claimed four wickets each.Shami's impact was immediate as he ripped through Madhya Pradesh's batting lineup, claiming four wickets for 54 runs in the first innings. His incisive bowling, coupled with contributions from Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, and Rohit Kumar, restricted Madhya Pradesh to 167 runs, giving Bengal a 61-run lead.In the second innings, Bengal capitalized on their advantage, posting a formidable 276 runs. Writtick Chatterjee and Wriddhiman Saha anchored the innings with half-centuries, while Shami's valuable 37-run cameo propelled Bengal to a challenging target of 338 runs.Madhya Pradesh's chase fell agonizingly short as they were bowled out for 326 runs. Skipper Shubham Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, and Subhranshu Senapati scored half-centuries, but Shami's 3/102 in 24.2 overs proved too much to overcome. Shahbaz Ahmed's all-round performance, including 4/48 with the ball, earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.Shami's return to domestic cricket is a significant milestone in his comeback journey. His sensational performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, showcased his exceptional talent. Despite missing the T20 World Cup due to injury, Shami's return to form is a welcome boost for Team India.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Shami's experience and proven track record in Australia will be invaluable. India's pace attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and promising talents like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, will benefit immensely from Shami's guidance and leadership.

Mohammed Shami's remarkable return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy has earned him high praise from Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla. After a year-long absence due to an ankle injury, Shami made a stunning comeback on Thursday, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills against Madhya Pradesh.In his first appearance since last year's ODI World Cup, Shami bowled with precision and pace, capturing 4 wickets for 54 runs in 19 overs. His impressive performance put Bengal in a commanding position at the Holkar Stadium.Shukla was particularly impressed by Shami's ability to return to form after such a long layoff. "Someone has come back after one year and has bowled 19 overs and taken so many wickets... what's there to say?" Shukla said. "He came into the match without doing any match simulation. Can you imagine? But obviously, if he plays more, he will get better."Shami started economically, conceding only 34 runs in his first 10 overs. However, he grew in confidence as the innings progressed, rattling the Madhya Pradesh batting order with his mesmerizing pace. He dismissed key batsmen, including skipper Shubham Sharma, Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya, and Kulwant Khejroliya."He bowled one six-over spell and one five-over spell," Shukla added. "Players who bowl in the IPL don't even know how to bowl more than four overs. He bowled the sort of spells fast bowlers are expected to. I have never seen a fast bowler come back so strongly after one year away. What he did today is like a fairy tale."Shami's performance has reignited hopes that he could be available for India's upcoming Test series against Australia. The seasoned speedster missed out on a call for the Border Gavaskar Trophy but has started to make a case for his inclusion if needed.

Bengal's Shami Shines with Bat and Ball in Thrilling Ranji Trophy FinishKOLKATA: The Bengal and Madhya Pradesh Elite Group 'C' Ranji Trophy match is poised for a nail-biting conclusion, with the hosts Bengal chasing 338 for victory and currently sitting at 150 for three at stumps on the penultimate day.Mohammed Shami, the star Bengal pacer, played a crucial role in both innings of the match. In the first innings, he picked up three wickets to restrict Madhya Pradesh to 276. In the second innings, Shami came to the crease with Bengal struggling at 219/8.Undeterred, Shami showcased his batting prowess, stitching together a valuable 39-run last-wicket stand with his brother Mohammed Kaif. Shami's aggressive approach, including two fours and two sixes, propelled Bengal's second innings total to 276.Shami's batting heroics were followed by an impressive bowling performance. He returned to bowl 11 overs in the next two sessions of play, demonstrating his resilience and determination.Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla praised Shami's all-round contribution. "It was great to see how Shami took up the challenge," Shukla said. "He showed his character and fighting spirit."With Bengal needing 188 runs to win on the final day, the match is set for a thrilling finish. Shami's performance with both bat and ball has given Bengal a glimmer of hope, and his presence on the field will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to join the team in Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin. Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles injury but made a successful return to competitive cricket in Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.Shami's return is a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran pacer has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key member of India's fast-bowling attack in recent years.Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shami's return will strengthen India's pace attack and give them a better chance of winning the series. "If anything, I would have wanted a little more support for Jasprit (Bumrah) in the pace-bowling attack. So the quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, I think it's better for India," Shastri said.Shami is expected to join the Indian team after the second Test in Adelaide. India need to win four of the five Tests in Australia to have a big shot at sealing their place in a third straight World Test Championship final.Shami has played a pivotal role in India's success in recent years, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19. He is a proven performer in Australian conditions and his return will be a major boost for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, taking four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy.Shami, who last played in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad in 2024, had raised concerns about his fitness after going wicketless in ten overs on the opening day. However, he dispelled those doubts with a superb performance on the second day, helping Bengal take a commanding lead.Despite being advised to tread cautiously, Shami bowled with intensity and accuracy, troubling the Madhya Pradesh batsmen with his trademark swing and seam. He bowled a total of 19 overs, taking four wickets for 54 runs.Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar praised Shami's determination to return to the field. "He has proven how desperate he was to return to the field," Majumdar said. "It didn't seem to me that he was returning from an injury."Shami's performance has raised hopes that he will be fit for India's upcoming tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy is the only competitive red-ball cricket Shami will play before the tour, so his performance in Indore will be closely monitored by the national selectors.If Shami can maintain his fitness and form, he will be a valuable asset to the Indian team in Australia. His experience and skill will be crucial in the challenging conditions Down Under.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has put himself in contention for a spot on the upcoming Australian tour with an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, Shami claimed four wickets, boosting his chances of joining the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the World Cup final in November 2022. Since then, he has undergone ankle surgery and suffered a knee injury during his recovery. The Indian team management was keen to assess his fitness before considering him for the Australian tour.In response, Shami bowled four spells across 57 overs, taking 4 wickets for 54 runs. His performance has impressed the selectors, who were eager to see him in action before making a decision."Obviously, Shami was asked to play this game keeping in mind that the next round of Ranji Trophy will only start on January 23 after the Test season is over," said a BCCI source. "So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most part of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second innings). Suppose he bowls another 15 to 18 overs in the second innings, that's a very decent amount of overs bowled."The source added, "But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test."The national selection committee will assess Shami's fitness after the Ranji match concludes on November 16. If cleared, he might join the Indian team before the second Test against Australia, starting on December 6.Shami's return to fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The experienced pacer brings a wealth of experience and skill to the bowling attack, and his inclusion would strengthen India's chances of success Down Under.