Shami takes four wickets and backs Bhuvneshwar’s recall

Mohammed Shami took four wickets for 30 runs as Bengal dismissed Delhi for 240 in their Ranji Trophy match in Kalyani on October 11, then said fellow fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserved an earlier return to India’s team. Shami’s figures came from 17.3 overs, including nine maidens, in Bengal’s opening match of the season. Delhi were bowled out in 77.3 overs. Shami dismissed Yash Dhull, Ayush Doseja, Hrithik Shokeen and Divij Mehra. Shokeen top-scored for Delhi with 56, while Doseja made 45. Akash Deep took two wickets for Bengal, and Mukesh Kumar claimed one. After the match, Shami welcomed Bhuvneshwar’s selection for India’s upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, but argued that the recall should have come sooner. He said Bhuvneshwar’s performances merited recognition and that a player’s talent should not be held back. The remarks expressed Shami’s view on the selection decision; the reports did not include an explanation from selectors about their reasoning. Shami was also asked about his own fitness and prospects of returning to the national team. In one reported exchange, he pointed to his presence on the field and said he was playing wherever he could.