Indian pacer Mohammed Shami produced an exhibition of seam bowling when he dismissed Yash Rathod during the Duleep Trophy semi-final between East Zone and Central Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. The left hander was settled and was unbeaten on 27 runs when Shami began to set him up and dismiss him. The right arm pacer bowled five successive balls on or just outside the sixth-stump line, forcing Rathod either to leave the ball alone or get beaten. He followed that with two well-directed bouncers in his next over that stayed on the off-stump channel rather than targeting the body, keeping the batter on the backfoot.

After creating doubt about length and line, Shami then bowled a delivery that pitched between the fifth and sixth stump. Rathod pushed forward in an attempt to defend it. The ball took a thin outside edge and travelled through to the wicketkeeper. The dismissal reduced Central Zone to 125 for five and showed once again why Shami remains one of the most skilful bowlers with the red ball even at the age of 35. This spell from Shami had three maidens and consistent movement that troubled the batter who faced him. This video was released by BCCI Domestic and has gone viral which shows the entire set-up of the wicket.

Shami Completes 900-Wicket Milestone During Duleep Trophy

Across the entire first innings of Duleep Trophy, Shami bowled 16 overs and gave away only 42 runs while also picking up two wickets, finishing with figures of 2 for 42. His second wicket came when he had Arshad Khan caught at slip. That was also Shami’s 900th wicket across all formats. Despite his brilliant domestic success including his two-wicket haul in the current Duleep Trophy semi-final, the national selectors are not picking him mainly due to his age and fitness. Shami has proved his fitness by delivering an excellent spell. He continues to show that he is one of the best red ball bowlers in this country. 

Mohammed Shami has not played a Test for India since the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. His last ODI appearance was in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai on 9 March 2025. Selectors have not picked him in both red-ball and white-ball squads looking at his age and fitness. In 64 Tests he has taken 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, with an economy of 3.31 and a strike rate of 50.28. In 108 ODIs he has picked up 206 wickets at 24.05. He played a big role for India in the 2023 World Cup where he ended as India's highest wicket-taker.