Mohammed Shami ignites Perth Test anticipation with scintillating 4-wicket spree in thrilling Ranji Trophy return

After a quiet Day 1 in Indore, where he bowled 10 overs without taking a wicket after Bengal dismissed the hosts for just 228, Shami bounced back in style on Day 2. He managed to pick up four crucial wickets before the lunch break, ending with figures of 4 for 54, including 10 maiden overs. Shami played a key role in Bengal's remarkable comeback in the match, ultimately bowling out Madhya Pradesh for a mere 167.

The most important aspect of Shami's bowling was that he bowled 19 of Bengal's 59 overs, the most by any bowler in the match so far. This implies that he is ready to bowl for long hours, thus showing India a happy sign of his fitness ahead of a possible return to international cricket in the Test series against Australia.

Shami, who had been nursing from an ankle injury incurred during the 2023 ODI World Cup final last year in November, was expected to return in the Test series against New Zealand last month. However, the senior India bowler suffered a swollen knee during his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He later, he reportedly suffered from a side strain, which further delayed his chances of making an international return as he was not named for the Border-Gavaskar Test series.

However, with Shami's inclusion in the Bengal match against Madhya Pradesh, where he picked up four wickets in the opening innings, he might be on the verge of taking the next flight to Perth, which will host the Australia series opener on November 22.

It is yet to be seen if BCCI would rush into their decision on Shami and take him to Perth right after the Madhya Pradesh match or will test him for another game, scheduled to be played on November 23 in Chandigarh, implying that he could only be available from the second Test match onwards.