Mohammed Shami went wicketless on return to competitive cricket as Bengal struggled on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C game against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday.
Electing to bowl, Madhya Pradesh were 103/1 at stumps after bowling out Bengal for 228 in their first innings. The visitors need an outright win to keep their slim quarter final hopes alive.
The 34-year-old Shami bowled 10 overs and gave away 34 runs in two spells. Opening the attack, he bowled four overs before returning for another six-over spell in the final hour of the day.
According to a Bengal team member, Shami bowled “reasonably well” during his 10-over spell.
Shami’s last international match was the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad on November 19 last year. He underwent a surgery following an ankle injury in the quadrennial showpiece event.
If Shami is able to prove his fitness, he may join the India squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
The fast bowler’s progress and fitness were closely monitored at the ground by the National Cricket Academy’s medical team led by Nitin Patel.
Bengal’s attack has been depleted by injuries to Ishan Porel and Rishav Vivek while Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep are away on national commitments in Australia.
Shami was also seen for the first time playing with his younger brother Mohammed Kaif, who took the only wicket to fall in the MP innings, trapping opener Himanshu Mantri lbw for 13.
The other opener Shubhranshu Senapati showed resilience, and was batting on 44 from 103 balls at stumps, while Rajat Patidar was batting on 41 off 55 balls.
Earlier, Bengal’s top-order crumbled, with opener Shuvam Dey and No. 4 Rohit Kumar getting out for golden ducks. Sudip Chatterjee (15) and Sudip Gharami (10) were also dismissed cheaply, leaving Bengal reeling at 42/4.
However, Shabaz Ahmed played a stellar knock, rescuing the team with a gritty half century. Bengal were 79/5 when Shahbaz joined skipper Anustup Majumdar to put together a crucial 96-run partnership. Anustup couldn’t bat at his usual No.4 position because of a stiff neck.
After Anustup’s dismissal, Shahbaz (92) upped the ante and marched towards a second first-class century but fell short by eight runs. Shami then batted with his brother Kaif for the first time in a competitive match.
Aryan Pandey (4/47) was the pick of Madhya Pradesh bowlers.
Brief scores: Bengal 228 in 51.2 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 92, Anustup Majumdar 44; Aryan Pandey 4/47, Kulwant Khejroliya 4/84). Madhya Pradesh 103/1.
Arjun’s fifer
Arjun Tendulkar took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Arunachal Pradesh were bundled out for 84 against Goa at the Goa Cricket Association Academy ground, Porvorim. Arjun took 5/25 and now has 16 wickets from four matches.
