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Can you really keep a bowler like Mohammed Shami out of Team India? After a sensational five-wicket haul against Gujarat, the veteran pacer silenced doubts about his fitness and form — and Bengal’s coach had a pointed message for chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Mohammed Shami takes 5/38 in Bengal’s win over Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy.
Kolkata: Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami once again showed why he remains one of India’s finest fast bowlers, delivering a devastating spell in Bengal’s 141-run victory over Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy at Eden Gardens. Shami took 5 for 38 in the second innings, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket in four years and finished with eight wickets in the match.
The performance sparked renewed calls for his Team India recall, especially after he was overlooked for the ongoing white-ball series against Australia.
Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla didn’t hold back after the win, taking a direct swipe at Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee, which had questioned Shami’s readiness for international cricket.
“Mohammed Shami doesn’t need a certificate from anyone. He is a certificate in himself. His bowling speaks for him, he’s fit, focused, and in rhythm,” Shukla said after the match. “He has the backing of fans, the media, and above all, God.”
His comments come amid an ongoing war of words between Shami and Agarkar. The chief selector had recently claimed that the pacer wasn’t “match-ready,” prompting a sharp response from Shami, who said updating selectors on his fitness wasn’t his job.
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Gujarat, chasing 327 for victory, were bowled out for 185, with Shami leading the charge. Despite a fighting century from *Urvil Patel (109)**, the visitors fell well short. Earlier, Shami had taken 3/44 in the first innings, while Shahbaz Ahmed’s 6/34 gave Bengal a strong 112-run lead.
This victory was Bengal’s first Ranji Trophy win over Gujarat since 2003, adding emotional weight to the result. For Shami, who underwent ankle surgery and battled a long rehabilitation, the performance marked both redemption and reassurance.
Shami is now joint-third among the leading wicket-takers this Ranji season.
After the match, the 35-year-old expressed gratitude and determination in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Grateful for the rhythm and hard work paying off. Always proud to represent my team,” he wrote, sharing photos from the match and the game ball.
Speaking later, Shami added, “Every cricketer wants to play for India. My job is to stay fit and keep performing; the rest is up to the selectors.”
His numbers this season speak for themselves, 15 wickets in just four innings at an average of 10.46, placing him joint-third among the top wicket-takers in the Ranji Trophy.
Shami’s recent form, coupled with his fiery statements, has reignited debate over how India manages senior players returning from injury. Despite his absence from the current squad, his consistent domestic form and World Cup 2023 heroics make a strong case for his return.
For now, Shami’s message is clear, his bowling, not a medical certificate, should define his readiness.
