Bengal head coach and former India all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla has offered strong support to senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami, praising him after his commanding performance against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. Shukla stated that Shami’s excellence speaks for itself and he does not require anyone’s approval or validation to justify his stature in cricket.
The statement came after Shami produced a sensational match-winning spell at Eden Gardens, guiding Bengal to a massive 141-run victory in their Group C clash. His fiery bowling dismantled Gujarat’s batting lineup as he returned brilliant figures of 5 for 38 in the second innings. Earlier, he had also taken 3 for 44 in the first innings, playing a vital role in securing back-to-back wins for Bengal this season.
Shukla remarked that Shami’s talent and hard work are recognized by fans, experts, and even higher forces, which was widely interpreted as a subtle response to recent selection debates surrounding the pacer. Despite a strong domestic and international record, Shami did not find a place in India’s white-ball squad for the ongoing Australia tour, sparking public discussions.
Shami’s latest five-wicket haul is his first in first-class cricket since 2021, signaling a powerful comeback after recovering from a prolonged ankle injury. With 15 wickets at an impressive average of 10.46 so far this season, he stands among the top wicket-takers in the competition and continues to push his case for a return to international cricket.
The veteran pacer has maintained that his focus remains solely on performance, avoiding distractions related to selection. His outstanding form ensures that selectors will find it hard to overlook his name when picking squads in the near future.