Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Mohammed Shami fifer powers Bengal to first-ever win over Gujarat
Mohammed Shami asserted his class to capture five wickets as Bengal outclassed Gujarat by 141 runs despite Urvil Patel’s maiden unbeaten century to record its first-ever win over Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.
A defensive Bengal, resuming the final day from 170 for seven, batted for half-an-hour to add 44 runs and set Gujarat a 327-run target.
The host relied on Shami’s five-for and Shahbaz Ahmed’s three wickets to restrict Gujarat to 185 and post its second successive win.
On a placid track, Bengal started well as Shami had Abhishek Desai caught behind.
Urvil, promoted up, stunned Bengal with his counterattack, which was loaded with drives and cuts. With scant respect for international pacers Shami and Akash Deep, the wicketkeeper-batter, who donned Chennai Super Kings colours, provided T20 entertainment.
ALSO READ | Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Top batters, bowlers from second round of fixtures
Bengal applied brakes with Akash bouncing back to claim Aarya Desai and Shahbaz having Gujarat skipper Manan Hingrajia caught and bowled.
Urvil (109 not out, 124b, 16×4), dropped on 72 off Shami, and Jaymeet Patel (45, 105b, 5×4) sensibly built an 118-run stand and frustrated Bengal.
The turning point came in the 35th over when Urvil was retired hurt after scoring his century due to a cramp in his left hand. It opened the doors as player-of-the-match Shahbaz struck twice in the following over, dismissing Umang Kumar and Chintan Gaja, to return a total of nine wickets.
Shami removed Vishal Jayswal as Gujarat lost three wickets in about half-an-hour and necessitated Urvil’s return.
The Urvil-Jaymeet partnership resumed until Shami broke it by taking the wickets of Jaymeet. Shami, who was moving the ball in sharply, claimed four left-handers in total. He surprised Arzan Nagwaswalla with a rising delivery to claim four in his final four-over spell and log an overall eight wickets.
Priyajitsing Jadeja’s run out early in the third session ensured Bengal’s win.
Published on Oct 28, 2025
