Kalyani, February 20. Experienced Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami provided valuable advice to the Jammu and Kashmir bowlers as they prepared for their first-ever Ranji Trophy final in the history of the premier domestic tournament.
J&K will face eight-time champions Karnataka in their first final, with Karnataka securing their place by defeating Uttarakhand in the semi-final. The final match is scheduled to take place at the KSCA Cricket Stadium in Hubballi on February 24.
Jammu and Kashmir made history by reaching their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, 16 years after their debut in the premier domestic tournament, with a six-wicket victory over Bengal on the fourth day of their semi-final at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground on Wednesday.
All-rounder Auqib Nabi stepped up, taking four wickets alongside Sunil Kumar as Bengal were all out for 99 in their second innings on the third day, tilting the match in favor of J&K. Playing for the losing side, Shami was at his best, taking eight wickets in the first innings and completing the match with nine wickets to his name.
"There's no problem. Whether it's about swing, length, how fast to bowl, or which delivery to bowl, forget all that. Forget about the 22 yards; just focus on the stumps. Leave everything else aside. Don't worry about what's happening elsewhere; if any issue arises later, we'll deal with it then," Shami told Nabi in a video by BCCI Domestic on X.
Shami is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. He has taken 37 wickets in just seven matches this season, including three five-wicket hauls. The 35-year-old also claimed a five-wicket haul against Services last month, returning with figures of 5-51 in the second innings.