KOLKATA : Indian speedster Md Shami have been included in the 17 member Bengal squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy . Shami , who was out injured after the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia owing to a knee surgery missed India’s away series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh besides cash-rich IPL along with the ongoing series against South Africa . The pacer was in the preparatory camp for the South Africa series , but did not make a cut in the final squad as he was still recovering . The Bengal selectors headed by newly appointed chairman Debang Gandhi included Shami for the Vijay Hazare Trophy . Debang feels the pacer will be fully fit during the tournament as he have just started bowling at the nets ,“ I think Shami will be absolutely fit before the all important match against Uttar Pradesh on December 13 . He have been working hard on his fitness and hopefully will be fit to bowl.”
The selectors have also included Wridhiman Saha ( will be free from India duty ) ,Debabrata Das and Aloke Pratap Singh apart from retaining the Ranji squad which have recently qualified for the quarter finals of Ranji Trophy . According to Debang ,“ We felt there was no need of making too much changes in the squad as the team have been doing well recently .”
Bengal will start it’s campaign in the tournament against Goa on Dec 10 followed by matches against Himachal Pradesh (Dec 11) , Uttar Pradesh (Dec 13) , Madhya Pradesh (Dec 17) and Sourashtra (Dec 18) respectively . The final is slated to be held in Rajkot on December 28 . The squad will leave for Rajkot on December 07 .
Coach Sairaj Bahutule looked a satisfied man at the team selection meeting . He felt “ I am happy for the fact that I have benn successful to some extent in instilling the work ethics in the boys. The boys looked eager and willing to fight .”
Bengal will look to replicate the performance of 2011 when they emerged the champions under the captaincy of present CAB president Sourav Ganguly . Bengal defeated Ajit Agarkar led Mumbai by 6 wkts at Feroze Shah Kotla win the Vijay Hazare Trophy .