Mohammed Shami slams fifty in Ranji Trophy [Source: @CricSubhayan/X.com]Mohammed Shami isn't done proving himself. The veteran pacer, who's been left out of India's squad despite solid domestic performances, delivered a statement knock in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. Coming in at number 10 for Bengal against Andhra Pradesh, Shami smashed a blazing 50 off just 31 balls, reminding everyone that he's got more to offer than just lethal pace. Mohammed Shami stands up to RP SinghWhen Mohammed Shami walked out to bat with Bengal already sitting pretty, no one expected fireworks. But that's exactly what they got. He tore into the Andhra bowlers with clean hitting, finding boundaries at will and launching three massive sixes. The 31-ball half-century was pure entertainment, and it was the kind of knock that gets replayed on highlight reels. With 7 fours and 3 sixes, Shami struck at 160.61 and helped Bengal post a commanding 629. What made it even more significant was the presence of RP Singh, the BCCI selector from the Central Zone, who's been keeping tabs on Mohammed Shami. The Bengal pacer has been doing everything right with the ball, picking wickets consistently and keeping things tight. Now he's shown he can contribute with the bat too. Moreover, Shami's partnership with Mukesh Kumar pushed Bengal's total beyond 600, and RP Singh had a front-row seat to watch the 34-year-old show he's far from finished. Shami's struggle for recognitionThat being said, Mohammed Shami's situation has been frustrating, to say the least. Since the Champions Trophy 2025, he hasn't featured in a single international game across any format. The reasons keep changing from injuries and lack of match practice, to form concerns. But the result stays the same. He's on the outside looking in. The irony is his domestic numbers. In the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shami's been bowling beautifully. He's Bengal's second-highest wicket-taker this season with 28 scalps from 6 matches and 10 innings. Only left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed has more wickets (35 from 7 matches). With the ODI World Cup 2027 set for South Africa and conditions tailor-made for his seam bowling, the clock's ticking. Shami's performances are screaming for selection, but chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the panel haven't budged. This half-century felt like Mohammed Shami putting an exclamation point on his case. Bengal built a fortress with 629While Mohammed Shami grabbed headlines with his cameo, Bengal's innings was built on a marathon effort from Sudip Kumar Gharami. The no.3 batsman played the innings of his life, scoring 299 runs before falling agonisingly short of a triple century. He came in when Bengal lost their first wicket and batted all the way through until he was dismissed as the ninth man out. With the ball, Bengal's pace trio did the damage against Andhra. Mukesh Kumar grabbed a five-wicket haul, Akash Deep chipped in with four, and Shami picked up crucial breakthroughs as well. The 629 total and strong bowling put Bengal in complete control of the quarterfinal.
