Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami has not been included in Bengal’s 19-member squad for their first two Ranji Trophy games against Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar, which was finalised on Friday.

Shami’s non-inclusion was on expected lines as the fast bowler, currently at the
NCA (National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru) working on his recovery from the ankle injury, is still far from being match-fit. “We came to know that he (Shami) has again sustained some niggle. So, he couldn’t be considered for these matches,” a Bengal team member stated.

In his latest Instagram post on Friday evening, Shami was seen doing mainly upper body weight-training with abdominal crunches.

Pacer Akash Deep, who impressed in the recent Tests against Bangladesh, has been included in the squad. It, however, remains to be seen if Akash can feature in Bengal’s opener against UP in Lucknow from October 11 as there’s a fair chance of his selection in the Team India squad for the New Zealand Tests as well.

India’s three-Test series against the Black Caps begins on October 16 in Bengaluru.

Among others, young quick Yudhajit Guha, who impressed for India U-19 against Australia U-19 in the one-dayers in Puducherry last month, has also been picked alongside rookie pacers Rohit Kumar and Rishav Vivek.