Has Mohammed Shami Made It to Bengal's Probables List for the 2025-26 Domestic Season?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shami's inclusion in Bengal's probables marks a significant step in his comeback.
- Injury concerns have affected his recent performance and selection.
- Shami's history as a top wicket-taker remains a key asset for Bengal.
- His return could bolster India's fast bowling strength.
- Bengal's squad shows promising talent alongside experienced players.
New Delhi, July 19 (NationPress) Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has made the cut in Bengal's 50-man probables roster for the forthcoming 2025-26 domestic season. This comes after his exclusion from India's squad for the current tour of England, primarily due to injury concerns.
The 34-year-old cricketer has not participated in any competitive matches since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, where he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad but struggled to perform at his usual standards. His last appearance for India was during the victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, where he was joint top wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakaravarthy, each claiming nine wickets.
Shami's injury issues began following India's 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, where he emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 dismissals, necessitating ankle surgery.
He made a notable return to competitive cricket, leading Bengal to an 11-run triumph over Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, where he recorded seven wickets and contributed a vital 37 runs.
The 34-year-old successfully rejoined the international scene by participating in four white-ball matches against England in 2024.
However, he was not included in the squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that Shami was not fit for the series, creating a significant gap in India's fast bowling lineup in England. His last Test match was the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June 2023, and he has not had the opportunity to play Test cricket since.
Agarkar clarified during the squad announcement for England that Shami's fitness challenges and his inability to meet the Test match bowling demands were the reasons for his exclusion.
Other notable names included in the 50-man probables list released by Bengal are Abhimanyu Easwaran, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Abishek Porel.