Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Shahbaz four-fer puts Bengal in control against Gujarat on Day 2
Following a five-month lay-off due to a right shoulder dislocation, Shahbaz Ahmed made an impactful return to claim four wickets and help Bengal restrict Gujarat to 107 for seven in the Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Resuming from 244 for seven, Bengal finished its first innings at 279 and checked Gujarat to stay ahead despite the significant loss of time due to bad light for the second consecutive day.
In a fine demonstration of pace bowling in humid conditions, Bengal’s pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep hit an ideal length, extracted better bounce, and moved the ball off the surface.
Shami, bowling in good rhythm from around the wicket, drew first blood by trapping Abhishek Desai in front.
Akash castled another left-hander, Aarya Desai, through the gate.
Shami bowled southpaw Siddharth Desai prior to lunch, before Shahbaz, donning Bengal colours after 11 months, ran through the Gujarat middle-order.
The left-arm spinner, a doubtful starter who was picked for his batting, relied on his patience and accuracy to scalp four for 17 in an 11-over spell.
Following a 26-minute rain break, Shahbaz broke a 31-run partnership between captain Manan Hingrajia and Umang Kumar as the latter stepped out to miscue one.
Jaymeet Patel was played on, Urvil Patel missed a flighted yorker, and Vishal Jayswal was caught at mid-on.
“I practised bowling just a day before the match, but happy to have bowled a long spell. The plan was to be disciplined and wait for their mistakes,” said Shahbaz.
Shami impressed with the older ball as he sent down six tidy overs, including three maidens.
Gujarat’s lone resistance came from a determined Hingrajia (41 batting, 163b, 4×4), dropped on one off Shami, as he held one end amid the ruins until the day’s play ended prematurely.
Published on Oct 26, 2025
