Cricket

Mohammed Shami, the star Indian pacer, has made a remarkable comeback in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Madhya Pradesh. His exceptional bowling performance has reignited Bengal's hopes in the contest.Shami's mastery of seam bowling was evident as he claimed four crucial wickets in MP's first innings. His pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement from the pitch proved too much for the MP batters. He finished with impressive figures of 4/54 in 19 overs, with an economical rate of 2.80.Among his victims were MP captain Shubham Sharma and lower-order batters Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya. Shami's wickets played a pivotal role in restricting MP to a manageable 167, giving Bengal a lead of 61 runs at lunch on Day 2.Shami's return has energized Bengal's bowling attack, which had struggled in their own batting innings, being bowled out for 228 on Day 1. His presence has provided a much-needed boost to the team's morale.However, Shami's availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia remains uncertain. He was initially left out of the squad due to fitness concerns. Captain Rohit Sharma had emphasized that they did not want to risk an "undercooked Shami" on the challenging Australian pitches.Despite his absence from the BGT squad, Shami's performance in the Ranji Trophy could potentially earn him a call-up. Cricket legends like Ricky Ponting believe that Shami's pace and bounce would be invaluable on the fast tracks in Australia.If Shami proves his form and fitness in this Ranji game, he could address what many see as a minor gap in India's pace arsenal. His experience and skill could strengthen the team's chances in the high-stakes series against Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

Jasprit Bumrah to Lead India's Pace Attack in Absence of Mohammed ShamiWith the absence of Mohammed Shami due to injury, the onus of leading India's pace attack in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia falls on Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, India's vice-captain, played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series triumph in Australia in 2018-19, taking 21 wickets at an average of 17.00.Bumrah's impressive record in Australia, where he has taken 32 wickets in 7 Tests, makes him a key player for India. In the lead-up to the series, Bumrah has been working on his bouncer delivery, which is expected to be a potent weapon against the Australian batters.In a recent practice session at the WACA, Bumrah bowled bouncers at his Indian teammates, giving them a taste of the "chin music" they can expect in Australia. The Indian batters were peppered with short-pitched deliveries, providing them with valuable experience ahead of the series.Bumrah's ability to generate pace and swing, combined with his accuracy, makes him a formidable bowler. He will be crucial to India's chances of winning their third consecutive Test series in Australia.

Mohammed Shami's much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after a year-long absence was met with challenges as Bengal faced Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.On a greenish pitch with moisture, Madhya Pradesh elected to field and capitalized on the conditions. Aryan Pandey and Kulwant Khejroliya's four-wicket hauls restricted Bengal to a modest 228 in the first innings.Bengal's batting woes began early as Shuvam Dey was dismissed cheaply. Khejroliya then wreaked havoc, removing Sudip Gharami, Rohit Kumar, and Sudip Chatterjee in quick succession. Shahbaz Ahmed (92) and Anustup Majumdar (44) steadied the ship with a 96-run partnership, but Khejroliya broke the stand to dismiss Majumdar.Shahbaz played a rash shot and narrowly missed a century. In reply, Madhya Pradesh openers Subhransu Senapati (44*) and Rajat Patidar (41*) provided a solid start, taking their team to 103 for one at stumps.Shami, who underwent Achilles tendon surgery in February, bowled with good control but lacked rhythm. He finished with figures of 0-16 and 0-18 in his two spells.Bengal coach L.R. Shukla acknowledged the challenges Shami faced, saying, "It's never easy to come back from a surgery and bowl after a year. The more Shami plays, the better he will become."

Mohammed Shami's exceptional performance in the second Test against Australia in Perth in December 2018 remains a testament to his lethal bowling prowess in pace-friendly conditions. His remarkable 6/56, not only his best bowling figures, but also the fourth best by an Indian bowler in Australia at the time, played a pivotal role in India's eventual Test series triumph.Shami's absence of wickets in the first innings was more than compensated by his devastating spell in the second. With India opting for a four-pronged pace attack, Shami emerged as the standout performer, ripping through Australia's lower middle-order. His hat-trick attempt, dismissed by Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, showcased his relentless aggression.Shami's success stemmed from his ability to exploit the Perth pitch's pace and bounce. His consistent pace and movement off the seam troubled the Australian batsmen, forcing them into errors. Targeting the stumps with precision, Shami's high-paced deliveries proved too potent for the opposition.Despite Shami's heroics, India's lack of a balanced bowling attack ultimately cost them the match. The inability to chase down the 287-run target resulted in a 146-run defeat. However, Shami's performance underlined his status as one of India's premier pace bowlers, particularly on overseas tours.Shami's 6/56 in Perth showcased his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and deliver match-winning performances. His skill in extracting the best from pace-friendly pitches, combined with his relentless pace and accuracy, makes him a formidable force in the international arena.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised to make a long-awaited return to competitive cricket after nearly a year of absence. The Bengal pacer has been named in his state team's squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to commence on November 13 in Indore.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal squad marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a series of injuries that have kept him sidelined since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad last year. His fitness has been under close scrutiny in the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Prior to the Test squad announcement, Shami expressed his desire to play one or two Ranji Trophy games for Bengal before joining the Indian team in Australia. However, with the Ranji Trophy season split into two and only one round remaining before the white-ball tournaments, he will have the opportunity to prove his fitness in just one red-ball game.Shami's injury woes began with an ankle injury that required surgery on his right foot in March. He subsequently spent several months at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, rehabilitating from both the ankle injury and an Achilles tendon injury that he played through during the ODI World Cup.If Shami demonstrates his fitness in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match, he could potentially be added to India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The current squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana as the frontline fast bowlers, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed in the reserves.Shami's return to action is a welcome boost for India, who have been without their premier fast bowler for an extended period. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be invaluable in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket after an extended absence of nearly a year. The Bengal stalwart will don the blue and gold jersey in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Madhya Pradesh, commencing on Wednesday. This development marks a significant milestone in Shami's rehabilitation journey, as he received the green light from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to resume playing.Shami's return has been eagerly anticipated, with expectations of his participation in the Ranji Trophy. However, a delayed fitness certificate from the NCA due to reported injury concerns hindered his earlier involvement. Now, with the NCA's clearance, Shami is set to spearhead Bengal's pace attack against Madhya Pradesh.This comeback holds immense significance for both Bengal and India. Bengal will be bolstered by Shami's presence, especially with pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar currently representing India in Australia, and Ishan Porel recovering from an injury. Shami's experience and skill will provide a much-needed boost to Bengal's bowling unit.For India, Shami's return to fitness ahead of the crucial Australian tour is a major development. His form and fitness will be closely monitored as he prepares for the upcoming challenges. Shami's last competitive appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final on November 19th, after which he embarked on an injury rehabilitation program.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal team is not only a boost to their performance but also a morale booster for the entire squad. Bengal currently sits in fifth place in the points table with 8 points from 4 games, having secured three crucial points in their last match against Karnataka. The team aims to qualify for the next round of the Ranji Trophy, and Shami's presence will undoubtedly enhance their chances.

India's pace attack faces a daunting task in the upcoming Test series against Australia, with the absence of Mohammed Shami casting a shadow over the team's bowling plans. While Jasprit Bumrah remains the undisputed leader of the attack, the supporting cast of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana lacks experience and consistency.During the previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, India's pace attack was a formidable force, with Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant Sharma leading the charge. However, this time around, the support cast appears undercooked, raising concerns about their ability to complement Bumrah effectively.Siraj, who emerged as India's next pace leader on the last tour, has struggled for form in recent times. His rhythm seems to be off, and he has been unable to find his consistency. The added pressure of leading the attack in Shami's absence could further affect his performance.Prasidh Krishna, another promising pacer, has the ability to generate bounce from a fuller length, but he needs to improve his control and consistency. Harshit Rana, a relatively inexperienced bowler, has been picked ahead of more experienced options like Mukesh Kumar, raising questions about the team management's decision-making.Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that it takes time for pacers to mature and that patience is key. However, he acknowledges that the current crop of bowlers lacks the experience of the previous generation.With the series set to decide India's fate in the World Test Championship, the inexperienced pace attack will be under immense pressure to perform. If they can rise to the occasion and provide Bumrah with the support he needs, India has a chance of repeating their triumph from the last tour.

Mohammed Shami's return to competitive cricket has been further delayed due to a fresh injury setback. The Bengal pacer, who has been sidelined since November 2022 with an ankle injury, has now developed a side strain that has ruled him out of the next two Ranji Trophy matches.Shami's absence from the Bengal squad for the matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh effectively ends his hopes of being included in India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting November 22. Despite showing positive signs of recovery from his ankle injury, Shami's side strain has extended his comeback timeline.The 32-year-old had resumed bowling at full intensity last month and expressed optimism about his recovery. However, the latest setback has dashed his hopes of a swift return to action.Shami's ankle injury had kept him out of action since the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, where he was the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven games. Despite the pain and fatigue, he had taken three five-wicket hauls in the tournament.The Bengal squad for the next two Ranji Trophy matches includes Anustup Majumdar (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Writtick Chatterjee, Avilin Ghosh, Shuvam Dey, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Ishan Porel, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, Rohit Kumar, and Rishav Vivek.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.

Mohammed Shami's Comeback Delayed by Fresh Injury, Casting Doubt on Border-Gavaskar Series ParticipationIndia's premier fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. According to reliable sources, Shami has developed a side strain injury, further delaying his return to competitive cricket.Shami, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a knee injury, was not included in the Bengal squad for the next two rounds of the Ranji Trophy. The experienced pacer had previously expressed his readiness to return to action after recovering from his knee injury. However, his name was conspicuously absent when India announced a 15-man squad for the Test series against Australia."I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can't put too much stress on my body. So we decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%," Shami had said at a promotional event last month.Despite bowling at full tilt in the nets during India's recent Test series against New Zealand, Shami's side strain injury has raised concerns about his fitness for the Australia tour. India captain Rohit Sharma had previously stated that the team did not want to risk an "undercooked Shami" in Australia.Shami's last competitive appearance came in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2022. His absence from the Border-Gavaskar series would be a significant blow to India's bowling attack, which is already missing Jasprit Bumrah due to a back injury.The extent of Shami's side strain injury and the timeline for his recovery remain unclear. However, the fresh setback casts doubt on his ability to regain full fitness in time for the Australia tour, which begins in February 2023.