Mohammed Shami Shines with Seven-Wicket Haul in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy Opener. Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, put on a spectacular display with the ball in Bengal’s opening Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Uttarakhand. Playing at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Shami claimed a seven-wicket haul, steering Bengal to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
Under Abhimanyu Easwaran’s captaincy, Bengal bowled out Uttarakhand for 213 and 265 in their two innings. Shami grabbed three wickets in the first innings and followed it up with a four-wicket haul in the second, dismantling the opposition’s lower order. His remarkable performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Mohammed Shami dominant display also sends a strong signal to Indian selectors about his fitness. The senior pacer was recently left out of the Australia tour due to fitness concerns, having struggled with recurring ankle and knee injuries following surgery after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Mohammed Shami’s Recent International and Domestic Cricket Journey
Mohammed Shami last represented India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in March, finishing as the team’s joint leading wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy. His most recent Test appearance was in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia in June 2023.
Following his omission from India’s tour of Australia due to fitness concerns, Shami responded by highlighting his participation in the Duleep Trophy 2025 and Ranji Trophy 2025-26, asserting that these performances prove his fitness. He also mentioned that he does not need to call selectors to confirm his physical condition.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar, however, reiterated during a media event that the 35-year-old pacer has faced fitness issues in recent months. Agarkar added that, had Shami been fully fit, he would have been part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 and India’s tour of Australia 2025.
Despite the ongoing fitness debate, Agarkar acknowledged Mohammed Shami past contributions and noted that he would be considered for future Indian cricket campaigns. In response, Shami, after a strong start in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, told Sportstar:
“Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled. It’s all in front of your eyes.”
Since the start of 2025, Shami has played seven ODIs for India, taking 11 wickets at an average of 30.63, including a five-wicket haul. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, he struggled for form, claiming just six wickets in nine games at an economy of 11.23.
