Kolkata— In a display of seasoned prowess, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami orchestrated a decisive turnaround, propelling Bengal to an authoritative eight-wicket victory against Uttarakhand in the opening fixture of the Ranji Trophy at Eden Gardens.
The 35-year-old spearhead delivered a match-defining performance on the concluding day, claiming 4-38 from 24.4 overs to dismantle Uttarakhand’s resistance and transform a potential stalemate into a clear-cut win. Resuming at 165 for two in their second innings, Uttarakhand folded for 265, leaving Bengal a modest chase of 156 runs. With ample time across 58 overs, Bengal’s batsmen wasted little effort, overhauling the total in just 29.3 overs, anchored by skipper and opener Abhimanyu Easwaran’s composed unbeaten 71.
Shami’s intervention proved pivotal, especially amid scrutiny over his conditioning from chief national selector Ajit Agarkar. His overall haul of 7 for 75 across both innings, amassed over 39.3 overs without a hint of fatigue, served as a compelling rebuttal. “I can only say that the way Shami bowled in these conditions, he should play at least one Test against South Africa,” remarked Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla, underscoring the bowler’s command despite the sluggish Eden pitch.
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Early promise eluded Shami as the surface stifled his rhythm, but breakthrough arrived with the scalp of overnight centurion-in-waiting Kunal Chandela, dismissed for 72 using a ball in its 78th over—a strike that ignited Uttarakhand’s downfall. Bengal’s attack capitalized swiftly with the fresh ball, courtesy of Ishan Porel and Akash Deep, bundling out three more in quick succession.
A fleeting resurgence came via a brisk seventh-wicket partnership of 64 runs in 8.1 overs between Yuvraj Chaudhary (35 off 33 balls) and Abhay Negi (28 off 23 balls). Yet Shami struck again, snaffling Negi at third man before lunch, then wrapping up the innings by removing Janmejay Joshi and Rajan Kumar shortly thereafter.
Shami’s accolades included the Player of the Match award, a fitting nod to his role in Bengal’s clinical execution.
Brief scores: Uttarakhand 213 & 265 (K. Chandela 72; Md Shami 4/38). Bengal 323 & 156/2 (A. Easwaran 71 n.o.). Bengal won by 8 wickets.
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