The squad announcement
The Cricket Association of Bengal on Wednesday announced a 17-member squad for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, and the headline name in it is Mohammed Shami. The veteran India pacer is among the main players, with seven others listed as standbys, as Bengal prepares to open its campaign against Delhi from October 11 to 14 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani.
India-return talk gathers pace
Shami is expected to feature in Bengal's playing XI if declared fit, and his inclusion has renewed discussion about a potential return to the Indian team. He represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic competitions last season, and steady domestic outings remain his clearest route back into national contention. The squad also includes pace partners Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, giving Bengal a formidable fast-bowling core for the opener.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, 31, will captain the side for the opener with Sudip Gharami as vice-captain. Easwaran remains around India's Test plans despite being yet to make his international debut. The main squad also features Sudip Chatterjee, wicketkeepers Abishek Porel and Shakir Gandhi, Ankur Paul, Sumanta Gupta, Ankit Shukla, Shubham Chatterjee, Suraj Jaiswal, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Mohammed Kaif and Soumyadeep Mandal, with Karan Lal, Akhilesh Yadav, Geet Puri, Abhishek Raman, Shubham Sarkar, Sumit Mohanta and Aditya Purohit named as standbys.
The wider picture
Shami's comeback arc comes at a time of churn in India's pace department. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, has been picked for India's T20I series against New Zealand, signalling that the selectors are keeping experienced seamers in the frame across formats. For Shami, a strong start against Delhi at Kalyani would be the most emphatic statement he can make.
Sources:
ABP Live — Mohammed Shami Gets A Spot In The Team, Will Play Match On This Day
The Cricket Association of Bengal on Wednesday announced a 17-member squad for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, and the headline name in it is Mohammed Shami. The veteran India pacer is among the main players, with seven others listed as standbys, as Bengal prepares to open its campaign against Delhi from October 11 to 14 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani.
India-return talk gathers pace
Shami is expected to feature in Bengal's playing XI if declared fit, and his inclusion has renewed discussion about a potential return to the Indian team. He represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic competitions last season, and steady domestic outings remain his clearest route back into national contention. The squad also includes pace partners Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, giving Bengal a formidable fast-bowling core for the opener.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, 31, will captain the side for the opener with Sudip Gharami as vice-captain. Easwaran remains around India's Test plans despite being yet to make his international debut. The main squad also features Sudip Chatterjee, wicketkeepers Abishek Porel and Shakir Gandhi, Ankur Paul, Sumanta Gupta, Ankit Shukla, Shubham Chatterjee, Suraj Jaiswal, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Mohammed Kaif and Soumyadeep Mandal, with Karan Lal, Akhilesh Yadav, Geet Puri, Abhishek Raman, Shubham Sarkar, Sumit Mohanta and Aditya Purohit named as standbys.
The wider picture
Shami's comeback arc comes at a time of churn in India's pace department. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, has been picked for India's T20I series against New Zealand, signalling that the selectors are keeping experienced seamers in the frame across formats. For Shami, a strong start against Delhi at Kalyani would be the most emphatic statement he can make.
Sources:
ABP Live — Mohammed Shami Gets A Spot In The Team, Will Play Match On This Day