Mohammed Shami carried Bengal to the quarterfinals

Mohammed Shami showcased his all-round brilliance on Monday, leading Bengal to a thrilling three-run victory over Chandigarh and securing their spot in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals. The 34-year-old pacer smashed a game-changing 17-ball 32, rescuing Bengal from a precarious 114 for 8. Shami’s explosive batting, which included two sixes and three fours, took 19 runs off Sandeep Sharma's final over and helped Bengal post a competitive 159 for 9. His crucial last-wicket stand of 21 runs with Sayan Ghosh proved decisive.

With the bat down, Shami delivered with the ball, bowling a brilliant opening spell that included 13 dot balls and the early dismissal of Arsalan Z Khan. Shami’s leaner, sharper form was evident, a stark contrast to his first Ranji Trophy game this season. His iconic upright seam and match-winning impact reaffirmed his readiness for the grind despite uncertainty over his international comeback.