Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami delivered a masterful five-wicket haul on October 28, 2025, propelling Bengal to a commanding 141-run victory over Gujarat in their Ranji Trophy Group C encounter at Eden Gardens. The 35-year-old, returning from a 14-month injury layoff, dismantled Gujarat’s chase of 378 with figures of 5/75 in 22 overs, taking his tournament tally to 15 wickets in just 68 overs across two matches. This dominant performance not only secured Bengal’s second consecutive win but also served as a resounding statement to national selectors ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against Australia.

Resuming at 62/2 on Day 4, Gujarat crumbled under Shami’s relentless seam and swing. He struck early by trapping opener Priyank Panchal lbw for 28, then dismantled the middle order with precise yorkers and bouncers. His prized scalps included captain Jaydev Unadkat (clean bowled for 12) and all-rounder Chintan Gaja (caught behind for 9), triggering a collapse from 128/4 to 236 all out. Supported by Akash Deep (3/56) and Mukesh Kumar (2/48), Bengal’s pace battery exploited a wearing pitch, with Shami’s endurance—bowling unchanged spells—highlighting his full fitness post-ankle surgery in February 2024. Gujarat’s resistance came briefly from Rahul Shah (64) and Arzan Nagwaswalla (41), but Shami’s late burst sealed the result inside 78 overs.

The victory lifts Bengal to the top of Group C with 13 points from three matches, including a bonus-point win over Madhya Pradesh. Shami’s resurgence is timely: excluded from India’s squad for the ongoing England Tests due to workload management, he last played internationally in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. His Ranji exploits—averaging 14.2 with an economy of 3.3—mirror his 2018-19 domestic dominance (35 wickets) that earned a Test recall. BCCI sources indicate selectors are monitoring his performances closely for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22, where India defends the trophy in a five-Test series.

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As Bengal eyes a first Ranji title since 1989-90, Shami’s return injects firepower into a side featuring Manoj Tiwary and Wriddhiman Saha. His next assignment against Karnataka from November 6 will be another litmus test. For now, the “Shami Show” at Eden has reignited hopes of a national comeback, proving age and injury are no barriers to his lethal craft.

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