Mohammed Shami scalps 8 wickets in Ranji semis, puts India selectors on high alert
India Today
Mohammed Shami put India selectors on alert with an eight-wicket haul for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Jammu & Kashmir. The veteran pacer now has 38 wickets this season.
Mohammed Shami came knocking loudly on the doors of India’s selectors with a sensational eight-wicket haul for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Jammu & Kashmir in Kalyani on Tuesday, February 17.The veteran pacer continued his red-hot domestic form with a spell that could reignite national selection conversations.
Shami starred with the ball at the Bengal Cricket Ground, dismantling the J&K batting line-up with pace, control and experience. He brought up his five-wicket haul in the 59th over of the first innings, getting wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan caught behind before celebrating fiercely with his teammates.
An 8-wicket masterpieceWatchMohd. Shami wreaks havoc with his career-best First Class figures of 8/90Updates https://t.co/QXyCuRIgVM#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/f4F3TYnSWi— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 17, 2026
The eight-wicket match haul was another reminder of Shami’s growing rhythm in domestic cricket this season. The 35-year-old has been consistently among the wickets, producing match-winning spells at a time when India’s pace depth is under constant scrutiny.
Shami’s form surge has been building steadily. He had also claimed a five-wicket haul against Services last month, returning figures of 5/51 in the second innings. Overall, the 35-year-old has now snapped up 38 wickets in seven matches, including three five-fors, cementing his place among the standout bowlers of this Ranji season.
Shami’s strong domestic run has extended beyond red-ball cricket as well. He was equally impressive in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he claimed 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 6.09. Yet, despite these performances, he was overlooked for the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand and did not feature in the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Mohammed Siraj was drafted in late as an injury replacement for Harshit Rana.
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