Kolkata : Servotech Siliguri Strikers Batter Vishal Bhati has highly spoken of Indian iconic pacer and his teammate Mohammad Shami post match winning knock against Shrachi Rarh Tigers in Bengal T20 League 2026.
Bhati, who also plays for Aryan Club and Bengal came to Bat for Siliguri at a crucial stage when they lost their captain Sudip Chatterjee at 48 runs in last over of Powerful. Things could have gone either way, but, he kept his cool and notched crucial partnerships with Karan Lal, Pramod Chandila to take Siliguri’s score to 208/4 in 20 overs. Bhati played a heroic knock of 86 (46) including 6 sixes and 5 boundaries at a strike rate of 186.96. Coming to bowl he also dismissed dangerous looking Shuvam Dey SR. For his brilliant all-round display, he earned Man of the Match.
Regarding his match winning knock, he stated that he wanted to compensate for team’s lack of faith on him and play as per conditions. He also acknowledged the team seniors and coaching staffs.
“I wanted to start as well as I could. I wanted to compensate for the team’s lack of faith in me. I played as per the conditions, with the help of the seniors and the coach staff, and got the result. If anything happens in the match, I have to come forward, and that’s what I did”.
If it was Vishal Bhati in first innings, the second innings completely belonged to Mohammad Shami. In the 17th over of the match, he completely turned the game in Siliguri’s favour with a hattrick – first of the season, destroying the Tigers middle order and finished his spell with 4/27. Siliguri eventually won the match by 24 runs.
Vishal Bhati, speaking post match highly regarded Shami as bringing positive energy and atmosphere in any tough situation.
“Whatever I say about Shami bhai is less. If I know that he’s with me, it boosts my energy. Even if I’m getting beaten up or in a tough situation, I feel that if he’s there, it will be fine. He brings a positive atmosphere and positive energy”.
Shami is one of the experienced veteran pacer of Indian Cricket team. After a heroic World Cup 2023, where he suffered knee injury and went through surgeries, has been in and out of Indian team. His fitness did not meet international standards, however, he continues to perform in Domestic leagues for Bengal, IPL, hoping to wear the Blue jersey again. He last featured for India in 2025. At present, both Shami and Vishal Bhati are playing for Servotech Siliguri Strikers in Bengal T20 League 2026.
