Mohammed Shami sits out Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Services
Mohammed Shami was left out of Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Services following his exclusion from India's New Zealand tour.
Mohammed Shami was not part of Bengal's playing XI against Services in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at Palam A Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. The fast bowler trained with the team on Saturday but there is no official word on why he was left out.
Shami took five wickets including a four-fer in Bengal's opening match against Delhi. Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar are also unavailable after being called up for India A duty in New Zealand. Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy 2025.
Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said Shami was rested and there are no fitness concerns. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif called for transparency from the BCCI over Shami's continued omission from national squads.
CricHubb Take
Shami's exclusion from both national and state squads creates a pattern that selection panels have not explained. His domestic returns remain strong enough to warrant a clear statement on whether fitness, workload management, or future planning is the deciding factor. Without that clarity, the gap between performance and opportunity continues to widen.