Indian cricket fans are abuzz with the news that star pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his domestic comeback, joining Bengal’s robust squad for the highly anticipated Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season. The premier domestic tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 15.
Shami, who was notably left out of India’s One Day International squad for the upcoming series against Australia, will now spearhead Bengal’s pace attack alongside the talented Akash Deep. This inclusion is expected to provide a significant boost to the team’s prospects as they head into the new season.
Top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran will captain the Bengal side, with promising young wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel named as his vice-captain. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officially announced the squad on Wednesday. Bengal will commence their campaign at home, facing Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens from October 15, followed by another home fixture against Gujarat on October 25.
The team’s batting lineup boasts experience with Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Chatterjee forming a solid core, while the emerging talent of Sudip Kumar Gharami is anticipated to play a crucial role at the top of the order. The 15-member squad also features other promising talents, including Rahul Prasad, Saurabh Kumar Singh, and Vishal Bhati.
Head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla will continue to guide the team, supported by assistant coaches Arup Bhattacharjee and Shib Shankar Paul. Charanjit Singh Matharu will oversee the team’s fielding as the fielding coach.
Bengal has been placed in Elite Group C, where they will compete against formidable teams such as Gujarat, Haryana, Services, Railways, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Assam. The top two teams from each Elite group will advance to the quarterfinals, making for a challenging and exciting tournament ahead.
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy will see a total of 38 teams participating, with 32 teams competing in the Elite division across four groups, and six teams in the Plate division. With Mohammed Shami’s return adding invaluable depth and experience to their bowling arsenal, Bengal is eager to launch a strong campaign and make a serious bid for the coveted domestic title this season.