Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Akash Deep In, Shami Misses Out in Bengal Squad

One of the most formidable teams in Ranji Trophy history, Bengal, has announced its 19-man squad for the 2024–25 competition. Anustup Majumdar, forty, will lead the team once more as captain. The roster that was revealed will compete in the first two rounds, with some anticipated alterations prior to the third round.

The greatest story was the inclusion of star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played in a cricket match since the November 19, 2023, ODI World Cup final. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has revealed that Shami has not been included in the squad for the first two rounds of the Indian team's impending tour to Australia, despite expectations that the ace bowler would make the cut. Mohammed Kaif, Shami's brother, is nevertheless on the roster.

Bengal's Ranji Trophy Squad:

Mohammed Shami is yet to regain full-match fitness, remains out of Bengal's squad for their opening Ranji Trophy fixtures. pic.twitter.com/ciEd1xdhsp

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) October 8, 2024

The key to Bengal's top-order in this competition will be Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has enjoyed a purple streak with peak success in domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and the recently finished Irani Cup, where he scored 191.

In the meantime, the addition of seamer Akash Deep, who has recently been part of the Indian Test team, suggests that he may not be included in the forthcoming series against New Zealand, or at least not until the start of the second Test in Pune, which would mark the end of round two.

Another India pacer Mukesh Kumar, who has represented Bengal in domestic cricket, is missing from the opening couple of rounds. But Bengal has recruited his namesake, a Himachal Pradesh leg-spinner who signed up before the 2024–25 season.

In the past few seasons, Wriddhiman Saha has made a symbolic return to Bengal from Tripura after resolving his issues with the CAB. Saha had already expressed his wish to end his domestic career with Bengal, so this may be the year the batsman-wicket combo hangs up his boots. The other keeper-batter in Bengal's lineup is Abishek Porel.

Bengal Squad for Ranji Trophy 2024-25:

Abishek Porel (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Writtick Chatterjee, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anustup Majumdar (c), Aamir Gani, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Avilin Ghosh, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, Mukesh Kumar, Pradipta Pramanik, Rishav Vivek, Rohit Kumar, Shuvam Dey, Yudhajit Guha

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