Ace Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami is all set to rattle opposition batters once again as he prepares for his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket. Ahead of the new Ranji Trophy season, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has announced a formidable 17-member squad, with Shami's inclusion being the biggest talking point as he looks to prove his fitness and reclaim his spot in the national side.
Bengal will kick off their campaign in the premier domestic tournament against Delhi. The team will be led by seasoned opening batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran, while Sudip Kumar Gharami will serve as the vice-captain. With a lethal pace attack at their disposal, Bengal is once again considered one of the top contenders for the championship title this season.
A Lethal Pace Attack and Balanced Squad
Bengal's bowling department looks fiercely competitive this season, boasting a combination of international experience and raw pace. Alongside Mohammad Shami, the squad features established pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep. Having reached the semi-finals in the previous edition, the team is eager to go the distance this time around, despite missing all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed due to an injury sustained during the Duleep Trophy.
Abhishek Porel Returns to the Setup
Wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel has also earned a place in the squad. Porel, who had been away from competitive cricket following recent personal and legal controversies, received the green light from board officials as there were no formal restrictions preventing him from representing the state team. The squad presents a robust mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters.
Bengal's Full Squad for the Season Opener
Squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sudip Kumar Gharami (Vice-Captain), Sudip Chatterjee, Abhishek Porel (WK), Shakir Habib Gandhi (WK), Ankur Paul, Sumanta Gupta, Ankit Shukla, Subham Chatterjee, Mohammad Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Pradipta Pramanik, Amir Gani, Mohammad Kaif, and Soumyadeep Mandal.
Standby Players: Karan Lal, Akhilesh Yadav, Geet Puri, Abhishek Kumar Raman, Subham Sarkar, Sumit Mohanta, and Aditya Purohit.
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