Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla has said Mohammed Shami was fit to play but had himself requested to be rested for the team’s second Elite Group C match against Services in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season in Delhi.
Shami’s absence from the playing XI drew attention as it came just hours after he was left out of India’s squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The fast bowler had taken four wickets in Bengal’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Delhi in Kalyani.
“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 on Sunday.
Shami last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. Since then, questions have been raised about his fitness and prospects of returning to the national team, with the selectors indicating that his physical condition remains a concern. Shami, however, has pushed back against the criticism.
Meanwhile, Bengal gained a narrow advantage over Services after a dramatic second day of their Ranji Trophy encounter, with 15 wickets falling on Monday. Services reached 12 without loss in their second innings at stumps and need another 197 runs to win, with two days remaining.
Bengal had posted 184 in their first innings before their spinners bundled Services out for 122 in 62.2 overs, giving the hosts a 62-run lead. Shahbaz Ahmed, playing his first match after recovering from injury, returned figures of 4/35 in 19 overs. Off-spinner Aamir Gani also claimed four wickets, conceding 31 runs, while Pradipta Pramanik picked up the remaining two wickets for 31 runs.
Services captain Rajat Paliwal fought hard amid the collapse, remaining unbeaten on 48 off 129 balls. Shubham Rohilla scored 17, while Nitin Tanwar contributed 16.
However, Bengal failed to capitalise on their first-innings advantage and were dismissed for 146 in 52.5 overs in their second innings, setting Services a target of 209.
Left-arm spinner Rahul Singh led the visitors’ response with 5/39 in 15.5 overs. Pulkit Narang and Arjun Sharma chipped in with two wickets each to keep Bengal’s lead in check.
Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran top-scored with 30, while wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel made 25 and Sudip Kumar Gharami added 23.
Services then negotiated the final five overs of the day without losing a wicket. Rohilla was unbeaten on nine and Tanwar on three as the visitors ended the day at 12/0, keeping the contest alive heading into the final two days.
