Mohammed Shami’s Call for Selection Gains Momentum Ahead of IPL 2025
Mohammed Shami delivered a stellar performance on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy semi-final, taking three wickets as Jammu and Kashmir reached 198 for 5 against Bengal. The match remains finely balanced as Bengal was bowled out for 328 after resuming their innings at 249 for 5. Auqib Nabi also shone with the ball, achieving a five-wicket haul and marking his 50th wicket of the season. The contest is set for an exciting third day as both teams vie for a place in the final.
Match Summary and Key Performances
Bengal resumed their innings on Day 2 with a score of 249 for 5 but could only add 79 runs before being bowled out for 328. Sudip Kumar Gharami, who was unbeaten on 136 overnight, managed to score just 10 more runs before being dismissed by Auqib Nabi, who finished with impressive figures of 5 for 87. Veteran Sumanta Gupta contributed a quick 39 runs off 36 balls, but Bengal’s batting faltered as they failed to capitalize on their strong position. The second new ball proved effective for Nabi and left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar, who took 3 for 41.
Jammu and Kashmir faced a challenging start in their innings, losing three quick wickets due to Shami’s incisive bowling. Shubham Khajuria and Tawer Hussain were both dismissed lbw, while Shubham Pundir edged a delivery to the slips. At 13 for 3, Jammu and Kashmir found themselves in a precarious situation, but the partnership between skipper Paras Dogra and young star Abdul Samad turned the tide.
Counter-Attack by Dogra and Samad
Skipper Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad mounted a remarkable counter-attack, forming a crucial 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Dogra, who scored 58 runs off 112 balls, reached a significant milestone by surpassing 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy. Samad, in fine form, scored 82 runs off just 85 balls, showcasing his aggressive batting style with a flurry of boundaries. Their partnership steadied Jammu and Kashmir’s innings after the early setbacks.
Bengal’s captain, Abhimanyu Easwaran, adopted a defensive strategy, which allowed Dogra and Samad to rotate the strike comfortably. The introduction of Shahbaz Ahmed and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal failed to create any wicket-taking opportunities, further aiding the Jammu and Kashmir duo. However, Shami eventually returned to break the partnership, dismissing Samad, who was caught by Akash Deep.
Turning Points and Final Moments
After the dismissal of Samad, Jammu and Kashmir’s innings took another hit as Dogra fell to Mukesh Kumar, leaving the team at 156 for 5. The momentum shifted dramatically, and the team faced the risk of collapsing after a promising start. However, Abid Mushtaq and Kanhaiya Wadhawan managed to stabilize the innings, adding an unbeaten 42 runs for the sixth wicket.
As the day concluded, Jammu and Kashmir finished at 198 for 5, with Mushtaq remaining not out on 26 and Wadhawan on 10. The match is poised for an exciting third day, with both teams looking to seize the advantage. The performances of Shami and Nabi will be crucial as the contest continues to unfold in this high-stakes semi-final.
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