NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami’s below-par performance significantly impacted Bengal as they suffered a 41-run defeat against Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarterfinals in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Baroda posted 172 for seven, with Shashwat Rawat contributing a quick 40 off 26 balls (1×4, 3×6). Bengal could only manage 131 all out despite Shahbaz Ahmed‘s valiant effort of 55 runs (36b, 3×4, 4×6).
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The Baroda bowling attack, led by Hardik Pandya (3/27), Lukeman Merriwala (3/17), and Atit Sheth (3/41), proved too strong for Bengal’s batting lineup.
All eyes were on Shami’s performance, as the experienced fast bowler has been working to join the Indian team in Australia for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Prior to this match, Shami had taken 11 wickets in eight matches with an economy rate of 7.8, but his performance was notably lacklustre on this occasion.
His first over included two wides, and he struggled to maintain control throughout his spell.
Although the 34-year-old bowler maintained speeds around 140 kph across two spells and delivered some yorkers, he failed to achieve his usual accuracy.
Shivalik Sharma (24, 17b) hit him for consecutive sixes, with one edge flying over third man.
Shami claimed two late wickets, dismissing Shivalik and Atit Sheth during Baroda’s acceleration phase. His batting contribution was minimal, as he was dismissed for a duck by fellow India player Hardik Pandya.
Merriwala’s exceptional bowling in the fourth over severely hampered Bengal’s chase.
He dismissed the in-form Karan Lal, captain Sudip Kumar Gharami, and Writtick Chatterjee, who fell to an impressive return catch. Despite Shahbaz’s late resistance, Bengal lacked adequate support from other batsmen.
Venkatesh Iyer takes Madhya Pradesh into semis
At Alur, Madhya Pradesh secured a spot in the semifinals by defeating Saurashtra by six wickets, thanks to an outstanding all-round performance from Venkatesh Iyer.
Venkatesh’s contribution included claiming two wickets and scoring an unbeaten 38 runs from 33 deliveries, helping MP successfully chase down Saurashtra’s total of 173 for seven with four deliveries remaining.
Brief scores:
At Bengaluru: Baroda: 171/7 in 20 overs (Shashwat Rawat 40, Abhimanyu Rajput 37, Shivalik Sharma 24; Mohammed Shami 2/43, Pradipta Pramanik 2/6) beat Bengal: 131 all out in 18 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 55, Ritwik Roy Chowdhury 29; Lukeman Merriwala 3/17, Hardik Pandya 3/27, Atit Sheth 3/41) by 41 runs.
At Alur: Saurashtra: 173/7 in 20 overs (Chirag Jani 80 not out; Venkatesh Iyer 2/23) lost to Madhya Pradesh: 174/4 in 19.4 overs (Arpit Gaud 42, Venkatesh Iyer 38 not out, Rajat Patidar 28) by 6 wickets.
