"Now he will get the money that he deserves at the auction" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami's 4-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Aakash Chopra has noted that Mohammed Shami didn't seem to be in full rhythm in Bengal's ongoing Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash against Madhya Pradesh. However, he added that the seamer's return to competitive cricket should help his cause at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction.

Bengal were all out for 228 after being asked to bat first in Indore. Although Shami went wicketless in the 30 overs Bengal bowled on the first day, he eventually registered figures of 4/54 in 19 overs as the visitors bowled the hosts out for 167 on Day 2 (Thursday, November 14).

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener acknowledged that Shami didn't seem to be at his best. However, he opined that the four-wicket haul should help the veteran pacer attract deserved bids at the auction.

"Mohammed Shami has made a comeback. Based on the visuals I saw, the same rhythm was not seen. However, he has played after a year. He was playing against MP, and don't know how the match is progressing, Bengal scored more than 220 in 51 overs and bowled 30 overs on the same day. He has picked up four wickets," he said (11:15).

"The ball was swinging and coming out nicely from the hand, but the lines were wide, based on the short video clip I could see. Since the auction is on the 24th and 25th, if you don't play for a year, there is a question mark, people think a little before lifting the paddle, that what if he is not fit. So from that viewpoint, it's good that he played because now he will get the money that he deserves at the auction," Chopra added.

With 28 scalps at an economy rate of 8.03 in 17 innings, Shami was the Purple Cap winner in IPL 2023. However, the ankle injury he sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup ruled him out of this year's edition of the prestigious league.

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"If you feel he is fully fit, consider him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami wasn't picked in India's 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that Mohammed Shami should potentially be picked for the final two Tests against Australia if the selectors get convinced about his fitness.

"We want him back in full swing because if you feel he is fully fit, he is playing the Ranji Trophy in any case, consider him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He can potentially play the last two matches, the Boxing Day Test match and the New Year's Test match," he said.

The reputed commentator added that the visitors will be overreliant on Jasprit Bumrah in Shami's absence.

"Even if that happens, he will be missed in the first three because how much heavy lifting will Jasprit Bumrah do alone? However, this is what it is. India's bowling attack is looking slightly inexperienced this time and they will miss Mohammed Shami," Chopra observed.

Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana are the four specialist seamers picked for the Australia tour apart from Bumrah. It remains to be seen if the selectors add Shami to the squad if the Bengal seamer proves his fitness in the Ranji Trophy.