Shahbaz’s Stellar Spell Puts Bengal in Command Over Gujarat on Day 2

After a five-month hiatus due to a right shoulder dislocation, Shahbaz Ahmed made a remarkable return by taking four wickets, helping Bengal limit Gujarat to 107 for seven in the Ranji Trophy Group-C match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday.

Bengal resumed their innings at 244 for seven and concluded at 279, maintaining the upper hand over Gujarat despite losing significant time due to bad light for the second straight day.

Exhibiting fine pace bowling in the humid conditions, Bengal’s pace duo, Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, found the ideal length, achieved extra bounce, and moved the ball off the surface effectively.

Shami, bowling with good rhythm from around the wicket, struck first by trapping Abhishek Desai in front of the stumps.

Akash then bowled another left-hander, Aarya Desai, through the gate.

Before lunch, Shami took out southpaw Siddharth Desai, and then Shahbaz, wearing the Bengal colors after 11 months, dismantled Gujarat’s middle order.

The left-arm spinner, whose selection was initially uncertain due to his injury, was chosen for his batting but excelled with the ball. In his 11-over spell, he displayed patience and accuracy to take four wickets for 17 runs.

After a 26-minute rain delay, Shahbaz ended a 31-run partnership between captain Manan Hingrajia and Umang Kumar as Kumar mistimed a shot stepping out.

Jaymeet Patel was bowled, Urvil Patel was beaten by a flighted yorker, and Vishal Jayswal was caught at mid-on.

“I only practiced bowling a day before the match, but I’m happy to have bowled a long spell. The strategy was to remain disciplined and wait for them to make mistakes,” remarked Shahbaz.

Shami continued to impress with the older ball, delivering six tidy overs, including three maidens.

Gujarat’s lone resilience came from a determined Hingrajia, who was batting at 41 from 163 balls with four boundaries, who was dropped on one off Shami. He held one end until play ended prematurely for the day.

Published on October 26, 2025.