Bengal will be missing the services of star pacer Mohammed Shami in their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Delhi in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Shami, with 10 appearances for Bengal (a Ranji Trophy group-phase clash against Madhya Pradesh followed by nine Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy matches) so far since his return to competitive cricket last month, has had swelling in his knee and he played with it in a game or two during the national T20 tournament.

It has been learnt that Shami has been advised by the BCCI Centre of Excellence to not play the Vijay Hazare opener as a precautionary measure owing to his dodgy knee.

Shami's participation in the ongoing India-Australia Test series too is uncertain, especially after captain Rohit Sharma said at the news conference in Brisbane on Wednesday that the senior pacer needed to be "not 100 per cent, but 200 per cent fit" to join the squad Down Under for the remaining two Tests.

Will Shami be available for Bengal's next Vijay Hazare Trophy game, which is on December 26 against Tripura? According to sources in the BCCI, Shami may reach Hyderabad on December 24, which then makes him available for selection in the Tripura game.

Though Shami will not be present against Delhi, Bengal will get the services of pacer Mukesh Kumar, who had an intense session during Thursday's practice at the Uppal in Hyderabad. Mukesh, who was among the reserves for the Australia Tests, was quite impressive during the recent India 'A' games.

On the other hand, spinner all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed underwent his hernia operation in Munich on Wednesday under the supervision of Ulrike Muschaweck. "Surgery done! Thanks to cricket association of Bengal. Come back soon," Shahbaz posted on his social media handle.