If things go to plan, Mohammed Shami will return to competitive cricket in October, with Bengal’s Ranji Trophy opener against Uttar Pradesh. The 33-year-old fast bowler has been included in a 31-strong list of Bengal probables after a conversation with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly. The game against Uttar Pradesh starts on October 11, followed by a home fixture against Bihar from October 18. The CAB expects Shami to be available for both matches.
“Yes, I had a conversation with him (Shami),” Snehasish told RevSportz. “Accordingly, we have included him in the Bengal probables. He told me he would play a couple of matches.”
Shami is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, recovering from a heel surgery. It is learnt that he is in the final stages of rehab — he is bowling full tilt at the nets and gradually increasing his workload. “I don’t know the exact process he (Shami) has been going through,” said Snehasish. “But by the time the Ranji Trophy starts, I think he would be fully fit.”
Shami last played for India in last year’s 50-over World Cup final. In fact, he played through pain in that tournament, braving an Achilles tendon issue. He went under the surgeon’s knife in London in February. At the time, he spoke about how the recovery would take some time. “Just had a successful heel operation on my Achilles tendon! Recovery is going to take some time, but looking forward to getting back on my feet,” Shami had posted on his X (the erstwhile Twitter) handle.
He missed this year’s IPL and the T20 World Cup, and prior to India’s white-ball series in Sri Lanka in July-August, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had spoken about how the home Test series against Bangladesh “was always the goal” for the seamer’s comeback. The two-Test series against Bangladesh starts on September 19 in Chennai. It is unlikely that Shami will be included in the squad.
“It looks like that, although I’m not sure,” said Snehasish. “I don’t have a detailed update, but maybe, he will start playing from the Ranji Trophy.”
India will play three home Tests against New Zealand in October-November before going to Australia for a five-Test series. The selectors and the team management want the fast bowlers to be in top fettle for the tour Down Under. Playing against New Zealand will help Shami build up his bowling rhythm for the marquee series.
Meanwhile, with regards to Bengal cricket, Snehasish defended the state association’s decision to bring back a couple of senior cricketers to the fold. “If a player is performing, then age shouldn’t be a factor,” he asserted. “Sudip Chatterjee got a hundred in the Ranji Trophy last year. It has to be a combination of senior and junior players. Those who left Bengal and played for different states for the last two years have decided to come back and we have selected them. The squad also has a lot of young players.”
Bengal underperformed in the Ranji Trophy last season, failing to qualify for the knockouts. Ahead of the upcoming season, the CAB president has a message for the team. “I only understand one thing that you have to win the match. Once you start winning, you will come closer to your target. And our target is to win the trophy.”