Senior pacer Mohammed Shami marked a promising return to First-Class cricket in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals, leading East Zone’s disciplined bowling effort to restrict North Zone to 308 for six on the opening day.
Shami, playing his first red-ball match since November 2024, bowled 17 overs (1/55) with increasing sharpness, overcoming early rust to challenge North’s batsmen with testing deliveries and occasional in-dippers. His solitary wicket, dismissing Sahil Lotra caught behind, highlighted a performance that bodes well for his aspirations to feature in India’s upcoming home Test series against the West Indies, especially after missing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to fitness concerns.
East Zone’s bowling was bolstered by 21-year-old left-arm spinner Manishi from Jamshedpur, who claimed three crucial wickets to curb North’s aggressive start, which saw them race to 139 in 34 overs despite losing three early scalps. North’s middle-order batter Ayush Badoni stole the show with a stylish 63 off 60 balls, his elegant drives showcasing adaptability to red-ball demands on a batsman-friendly pitch.
However, Badoni’s dismissal, caught down the leg side off pacer Mukhtar Hussain, mirrored North’s broader struggle, as openers Ankit Kumar (30), Shubham Khajuria (26), Yash Dhull (39), and Nishant Sindhu (47) failed to convert promising starts into substantial scores.
A brief concern arose for East when pacer Mukesh Kumar left the field for nine overs to tend to a hamstring issue, but his return in the middle session alleviated worries. Despite North’s brisk scoring, East’s bowlers, led by Manishi’s precision and Shami’s growing rhythm, maintained control, exploiting false shots to keep the opposition in check.
As the match progresses, Shami’s ability to handle extended spells and Badoni’s flair signal bright prospects, setting the stage for a gripping contest in this crucial domestic showdown.
Also Read: Duleep Trophy 2025: Big Names, Bigger Comebacks!
Also Read: Duleep Trophy 2025: Big Names, Bigger Comebacks!