Shami’s return to competitive cricket delayed; not picked in Bengal squad for next two Ranji games

Shami was expected to play the fixture against Karnataka to test his fitness in a real-match situation after he bowled at full tilt at the nets after India’s recent Test match against New Zealand here.

FILE PHOTO: India’s Mohammed Shami in action against South Africa in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Mohammed Shami’s return to competitive cricket has been further pushed back after the veteran pacer was not named in the Bengal squad for the next two rounds of the Ranji Trophy against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

Bengal will take on Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here from Wednesday, before travelling to Indore to take on MP from November 13.

Shami was expected to play the fixture against Karnataka to test his fitness in a real-match situation as he bowled full tilt at the nets after India’s recent Test match against New Zealand here, though with bandage on his operated leg.

On that occasion, he was also monitored by India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel.

Later Shami said during a promotional event that he was feeling “100%” at nets.

“I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can’t put too much stress on my body. So, we decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%.

“It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon,” he had said.

India skipper Rohit Sharma had also opined against taking an undercooked Shami to Australia.

“We don’t want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” Rohit had said in Bengaluru recently.

Other than Shami, Bengal will also miss the services of prolific opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, wicketkeeper batter Abishek Porel and pacer Mukesh Kumar, who are with India A squad in Australia.

Pacer Akash Deep, who was part of the Indian team for the recent series against New Zealand, was also not named in the state squad.

However, veteran wicketkeeper batter Wriddhiman Saha, who has announced his retirement from cricket after the ongoing domestic season, has been named for the two matches.

Bengal squad against Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh:

Anustup Majumdar (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Writtick Chatterjee, Avilin Ghosh, Shuvam Dey, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Ishan Porel, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, Rohit Kumar, Rishav Vivek.