‌Ranji Trophy | Mohammad Shami set to break 360 days hiatus for on-field return ahead of BGT

“In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Mohammad Shami will make a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday.

Shami, who has been out of competitive action since India's ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad last November, will spearhead the Bengal pace bowling attack against Madhya Pradesh,” the CAB post read.

The 34-year-old was last seen in action during the 2023 Cricket World Cup final against Australia on November 19 where Travis Head’s century decimated the Men in Blue. Since then, Shami underwent knee surgery, having participated in the mega-event carrying through the injury.

Currently, Bengal are yet to win a game in four matches with three of them ending in a draw and one abandoned match against Bihar. Currently, they’re fifth in the Elite Group C with eight points. With Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep absent from the Bengal squad due to national commitment, Shami’s inclusion will bolster the bowling department with Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal and Ishan Porel likely to be the other pacers

On the flip side, the Indian team have reached the Australian shores and started their preparation with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant starring in the morning practice session on November 12. The first Test against Australia kicks off on November 22 at the Perth Stadium, Perth.