New Delhi: Mohammed Shami, who is known for his sensational fast bowling, played a gritty knock against Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Bengal’s middle-order failed to score runs against MP’s formidable bowling lineup but Shami played a stunning knock and helped his team to bounce back in the match.

Bengal opener Sudip Gharami scored 99 runs off 125 balls and Sudip Chatterjee also scored 47 runs off 57 balls but other batters failed to make any contribution. Shami played a gritty innings and scored an unbeaten 42 runs off 34 balls with the help of five boundaries and one maximum as Bengal set a 270-run target for Madhya Pradesh.

Chasing the target, Captain Rajat Patidar scored an unbeaten 132 runs off 137 balls, his remarkable knock was laced with eight boundaries and one maximum while Shubham Sharma also scored 99 runs as Madhya Pradesh defeated Bengal by six wickets.

Mohammed Shami eyeing Champions Trophy selection

Mohammed Shami hasn’t played any international match for India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. He also didn’t feature in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a knee injury. The fast bowler is working on his fitness to be fit and ready for the upcoming Champions Trophy which will start on February 19, 2025.

He made a stunning comeback in the Ranji Trophy and picked up 4 wickets against Madhya Pradesh. Shami also participated Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for Bengal and picked up 11 wickets in 9 T20I matches.

He played a lot of domestic cricket to be fit for the last two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but was not picked in the squad due to a swollen knee. Indian captain Rohit Sharma also said that there have been some complaints about Shami’s knee and the team management doesn’t want to take any risk with him.