Photo via Sportstar

When the game gets challenging, Mohammed Shami steps up to remind how to keep fighting

Mohammed Shami delivered a masterclass in pressure bowling during the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, claiming seven wickets at an average of 26.57 to secure his second title with Bengal. The veteran fast bowler, playing his 100th First-Class match, thrived in brutal conditions—flat pitch and sweltering Chennai heat—by mastering reverse-swing and sticking to precise line and length.

His breakthrough wicket of R. Smaran, a delicate edge caught by Kumar Kushagra, encapsulated his ability to rise when the game demanded it most.

Shami, who has not represented India in 18 months, has reinvigorated his domestic career with a relentless hunger, a trait noticed by teammates like East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan and Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla. His philosophy remains simple: when conditions are tough, skill and determination separate the best from the rest.

The 35-year-old’s performance underscored his unwavering commitment, proving that experience and mental fortitude often matter more than favorable conditions.

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