Shams Zakir Mulani, a promising cricketer from Raigad, Maharashtra, has been making waves in the Indian domestic cricket circuit. Born and raised in Raigad, Mulani has established himself as a key player for Mumbai in domestic cricket and has also showcased his talent with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His journey in professional cricket began when he made his Twenty20 debut for Mumbai on 11 January 2018 during the 2017-18 Zonal T20 League. Following this, he debuted in List A cricket for Mumbai in the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 5 February 2018.

Mulani’s consistent performances caught the selectors’ eyes, and by October 2018, he was named to India A’s squad for the 2018-19 Deodhar Trophy. His skills further earned him a spot in India’s team for the 2018 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup held in December 2018. Demonstrating his prowess in first-class cricket, Mulani achieved his first five-wicket haul during the opening round of the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season. His impressive form continued in the 2022-23 Ranji season, where he took an astonishing 46 wickets in just seven matches. In the same season, he bagged 16 wickets across 10 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

At the age of 27, Mulani made his much-anticipated IPL debut with the Mumbai Indians in 2024. He played two significant matches that season, starting with a game against Gujarat Titans on 24 March 2024, followed by another match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 27 March 2024.

In the current cricketing scenario, Shams Mulani is an integral part of India A. In a recent encounter during the Duleep Trophy 2024, Mulani showcased his all-round capabilities. In the first innings of the third match between India A and India D, he played a patient and crucial knock of 89 runs. His partnership with Tanush Kotian, who scored 53, was vital for the team. As an all-rounder, Mulani not only excelled with the bat but also delivered impressive bowling performances. He dismissed three significant players from India D: Devdutt Padikkal, skipper Shreyas Iyer, and Sanju Samson, demonstrating his bowling finesse at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur.

Shams Mulani’s contributions with both bat and ball highlight his immense potential and his growing reputation as a valuable player in Indian cricket. His journey is a testament to his dedication and skill, making him a cricketer to watch out for in future tournaments.