Mohammed Shami isn't playing for Bengal. Photo: AP
\n\nA few days after being ignored for the New Zealand tour, Mohammed Shami skipped the Ranji Trophy game against Services. He was part of Bengal's playing XI for the first game against Delhi. The right-arm pacer was expected to make his India return for the all-important series but the new selection panel, headed by Pragyan Ojha, ignored him. Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla revealed the reason behind Shami's absence from the fixture and brushed aside any fitness concerns.
\n\n"Shami is fit, he was rested. He bowled a lot of overs against Delhi last round. He himself asked to be rested. He is a cheetah. Shami resting also gives us options to try fresh faces," Shukla said after the first day's play in Delhi.
\n\nShami hasn't played for Team India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. He suffered an injury following the ICC event and missed IPL 2024. Shami has been out of contention since then.
\n\nThe right-arm pacer has been playing domestic cricket regularly but the selectors haven't handed him a recall. His absence from the NZ tour hints that the selection panel has moved on from him.
\n\nMohammed Shami was…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
