Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has unequivocally declared his readiness for Test cricket, showcasing his enduring class and fierce hunger for the red-ball format. Representing Bengal in the prestigious Ranji Trophy, Shami has blazed through the competition, snatching an astonishing 15 wickets in merely two matches. This exceptional performance builds an irrefutable argument for his inclusion in the national squad for the highly anticipated South Africa Test series.
Mohammed Shami in action.
His latest display of dominance came during Bengal’s encounter with Gujarat at Eden Gardens. There, Shami delivered a masterclass in fast bowling, seizing eight crucial wickets to guide his team to a resounding 141-run victory. The 35-year-old maestro dismantled Gujarat’s batting order in the second innings, recording sensational figures of 5 wickets for just 38 runs in 10 overs, which led to their collapse for 185 while they chased a target of 327 on the final day. He had previously set a formidable tone in the first innings, securing 3 wickets for 44 runs.
This phenomenal showing wasn’t an isolated incident. It came on the heels of another stellar performance in the opening round against Uttarakhand, where his seven-wicket haul propelled Bengal to an eight-wicket win. With a cumulative tally of 15 wickets from just two matches, Shami has rapidly climbed to third position on the season’s wicket-takers’ chart, trailing only Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi Dar (17) and Services’ Arjun Sharma (16).
Shami’s last appearance for the Indian national team was in the Champions Trophy final earlier this year, and he has been absent from international duty since then. His most recent Test match was the 2023 World Test Championship final.
The veteran pacer’s explosive comeback strongly suggests a direct answer to comments from national selectors, specifically chairman Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar had recently indicated that Shami required additional game time to be considered for a recall. In response, Shami had confidently asserted, “Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes.”
Through his spectacular and fiery performances for Bengal, Shami has undeniably ensured that the selectors can no longer overlook his compelling form.