After a long hiatus of 360 days, India’s ace pacer Mohammed Shami made his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh on November 13, 2024. Shami, who had been sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury, underwent surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru
SOURCE : ZEE
The match took place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, where Bengal opted to field first after winning the toss. However, Shami’s return to the field was met with mixed results. He bowled a total of 10 overs, conceding 34 runs without taking any wickets. Despite his efforts, Madhya Pradesh ended the day at 103/1, with Shami’s younger brother, Mohammed Kaif, claiming the only wicket of the day by trapping Himanshu Mantri for 13.
Source:- bbc news
Shami’s performance, though not wicket-taking, was a significant step towards regaining his form and fitness. Bengal’s top order struggled, with Shuvam Dey and Rohit Kumar dismissed for golden ducks, and Sudip Chatterjee and Sudip Gharami also failing to make substantial contributions. Shahbaz Ahmed played a crucial role, scoring 92 runs and forming a 96-run partnership with skipper Anustup Majumdar
The medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been closely monitoring Shami’s fitness, with hopes that a strong performance in the Ranji Trophy could secure him a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, starting November 22 in Perth. Shami himself expressed his eagerness to play more domestic matches to regain his rhythm and confidence before the high-profile series
Shami’s return to the field was met with enthusiasm from fans and teammates alike. “It’s never easy to come back from a surgery and bowl after a year,” said Bengal coach L.R. Shukla. “The more Shami plays, the better he will become.”
As Shami continues his journey back to peak form, all eyes will be on his performances in the upcoming matches. His comeback story is one of resilience and determination, and cricket enthusiasts are hopeful that he will soon be back to his best, ready to take on the challenges of international cricket once again.
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