Mohammed Shami announced his intent to return to the Indian team with a sensational eight-wicket haul in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy semi-final against Jammu & Kashmir at Kalyani. The veteran pacer showcased pace, precision, and experience, dismantling the J&K batting line-up and bringing up a five-wicket haul in the 59th over of the first innings.
Shami’s performance is part of an impressive domestic season, where he has taken 38 wickets in seven matches, including three five-fors. His red-hot form has also extended to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he claimed 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 6.09. Despite these performances, Shami missed selection for India’s recent ODI series against New Zealand and the 2026 T20 World Cup, while Mohammed Siraj was called in as an injury replacement.
Off the field, Shami has faced setbacks, including losing his BCCI central contract and being absent from international cricket since the 2025 Champions Trophy. Yet, his consistency in domestic cricket demonstrates that he is ready for a comeback. Bengal, aided by Shami’s brilliance, posted 328 in their first innings, with Sudip Kumar Gharami scoring a superb 146, keeping the team in control of the semi-final.
With the IPL 2026 around the corner and India’s international calendar packed with major Test challenges, Shami’s resurgence is hard to ignore. If he maintains this form, a recall to the national side could be imminent, giving India an experienced pace option at a crucial time.
