Mohammed Shami is poised to reach a significant milestone in his cricketing career as he prepares to play his 100th first-class match on Sunday. The veteran pacer will represent East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This achievement is a testament to Shami's enduring presence and consistent performance in Indian cricket, where he has already claimed 382 wickets in 99 first-class matches, with his best bowling figures in an innings standing at 8 for 90.
Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, expressed his admiration for Shami's accomplishment. In a heartfelt message, Ganguly acknowledged the challenges faced by fast bowlers in the subcontinent, particularly in maintaining longevity in their careers. He reminisced about their early days together, stating, "Dear Shami, congratulations on achieving this amazing feat - 100 first-class matches. As a fast bowler in the subcontinent, it's a remarkable achievement. I’ve seen you grow; I’ve played with you. It was the early stages of your career and the end of my international career. I always knew there was talent, but I’m extremely happy that you’ve used that talent to go this distance."
Ganguly further encouraged Shami to cap off this milestone with a victory in the Duleep Trophy final. He noted, "And I enjoy the games. You’re playing the Duleep Trophy final - it will be an icing on the cake if you win it. Your performances over the years have been fantastic, especially in Test cricket. You know, when fast bowlers shy away from playing Test cricket, you have a day-in, day-out run-in for India. Heartiest congratulations once again from my side and everyone at the Cricket Association of Bengal and the state of West Bengal. You know, it’s a fabulous achievement. Enjoy the game and hope to see you soon."
Shami's 100th match comes at a pivotal juncture in his career, as he aims to make a comeback to the Indian national team. Despite being outside the current squad, the 36-year-old has remained active in domestic cricket to maintain his fitness and performance levels. His last appearance for India was during the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. Shami has already made a notable impact in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, bouncing back from a wicketless performance in the opening match to take five wickets in the semi-final against Central Zone, helping East Zone secure a four-wicket victory and advance to the final.
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan has praised Shami's determination and work ethic, emphasizing that age should not be a barrier to his aspirations. Kishan remarked, "I think he is just one of the best. He has been a legend of this game. He has been doing so well since he started playing for Bengal. He has been picking wickets, giving all his energy, and he has done so well for the Indian cricket team also. I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard, it doesn’t matter. I see that hunger in Shami bhai because who better than me to judge about hunger right now."
Shami's desire to contribute was evident during the semi-final, where he requested additional overs to secure wickets, showcasing his commitment to the team's success. Kishan added, "Looking at his efforts as a captain, I felt very nice because Shami bhai came in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets. This is something which always gives confidence to skippers. When you have bowlers who are willing to get you wickets, it’s always good to have him in the team." Additionally, Shami's contributions with the bat, including hitting two boundaries, have further solidified his role in the team, prompting Kishan to jokingly refer to him as an all-rounder.
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