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Bengal coach Lakshmi Ratan Shukla praised bowler Mohammed Shami after his brilliant performance in the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. Shami made his return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy on Thursday after a year-long absence due to an ankle injury.
The veteran fast bowler missed out on being selected for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, but he has started making efforts to make himself available when needed.
Shami looked close to his best in his first appearance since last year's ODI World Cup, giving relief to those awaiting his return.
He bowled 19 overs in the first innings and returned with impressive figures of 4/54, putting Bengal in a strong position at the Holkar Stadium. Lakshmi Ratan Shukla was amazed by Shami's performance and knows that the right-arm fast bowler will reach new levels as he plays more matches.
“Somebody has come back after a year and has bowled 19 overs and taken so many wickets… What can you say? He came into the match without any match simulation. Can you imagine? Can? But obviously, if he plays more, he will get better.”
Initially, Shami was economical, taking figures of 0/34 in 10 overs. He bowled slowly and bowled two spells, one of which consisted of four overs in which he gave 16 runs and the other of six overs in which he gave 18 runs.
But in the second half, Shami's confidence grew further and he troubled the hosts with his excellent pace. He mainly batted at the middle and back end of Madhya Pradesh's batting order.
Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma performed brilliantly during his competitive comeback. He dismissed Saransh Jain, Kumar Karthikeya and Kulwant Khejroliya.
Lakshmi said, “He bowled a six-over spell and a five-over spell. Players bowling in the IPL don't even know how to bowl more than four overs. He bowled such spells which are expected from fast bowlers. I Never seen a fast bowler come back so strong after a year. What he did today is like a fairy tale.”
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