Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami bowled a fantastic 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 like he was embarrassed.
His fitness has been a major cause of concern in India over the past few months. Shami had to miss the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to injury problems. But with Champions Trophy 2025 just over a month away, his bowling has been a big plus for the Men in Blue.
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Mohammed Shami bowls a 10-over spell in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Mohammed Shami looks determined to make a comeback in India colors and it was evident during Bengal’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Haryana on January 9. He bowled long spells and managed to get good pace.
Shami picked up the big wicket of opener Himanshu Rana in his opening spell when he was caught behind for just 14. He didn’t get any wickets in the middle overs but bounced back in consistent overs to pick up the wicket of the dangerous Dinesh Bana for 15.
The 34-year-old quick did not stop there and took the wicket of all-rounder Anshul Kamboj in his next over. He bowled four overs at the death. Although he was a bit more expensive, he managed to pick up key wickets.
Mohammed Shami finished with 3-61 in his 10-over spell and was the top wicket-taker for his side. It was the first time that Vijay Hazare broke his full quota in this season’s trophy. In the last two matches against Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, he bowled just 8 overs each, where he recorded figures of 1-40 and 1-28.
Will Mohammed Shami make the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy?
The Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 will be selected in the coming days and Mohammed Shami has staked his claim with a good performance. He proved his mettle with 10 overs and the selectors are likely to keep that in mind when picking the squad
Shami’s experience will be valuable for India in the Champions Trophy. There are injury clouds surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation after he recently suffered a side strain in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Shami was due to be picked for the Test series against Australia, but swelling in his knee during rehabilitation delayed his return. India missed out on his services as they were left with just two experienced fast bowlers on useful Australian wickets.
Haryana knocked out Bengal
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami’s exploits failed to take Bengal home as they lost the match and crashed out of the tournament. Haryana scored 298-9 while batting first with last fifties from Parth Vats and Nishant Sindhu. Sumit Kumar provided a late boost with a fine 41 off 32 balls.
In reply, Bengal’s batsmen got starts but none of them could convert them into big ones. Wicketkeeper Abishek Porel top scored with 57 off 78 balls while opening the batting. Captain Sudip Kumar Gharami and Anustup Majumdar both scored thirty, but it was not enough in the end as Bengal were bowled out for just 226.
