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Mohammed Shami questions Bhuvneshwar Kumar's delayed India recall, raises concerns over Ranji Trophy pitch

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami made headlines after a dominant performance in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi, where he took 4 wickets for just 30 runs in 17.3 overs, including 9 maidens, helping restrict Delhi to 240 in their first innings. Speaking post-match, Shami questioned the timing of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recent recall to the T20I squad, arguing the 36-year-old pacer deserved international recognition sooner given his consistent performances in the IPL.

Shami praised Bhuvneshwar’s talent but noted his selection came after a prolonged absence from the national team, emphasizing that sustained domestic success should be rewarded more promptly.

Shami also raised concerns about the pitch at Kalyani, calling it unhelpful for Bengal’s formidable pace attack, which includes himself, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Ishan Porel. Despite the challenging conditions, Shami’s disciplined bowling highlighted the depth of Bengal’s fast-bowling resources, though he suggested the surface did not match the quality of their attack.

His standout performance came as he continues to play domestic cricket, having been sidelined from international action since India’s Champions Trophy victory in early 2025.

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