Shahbaz Ahmed’s return boosts Bengal ahead of Ranji Trophy clash with Services

Bengal’s start to their Ranji Trophy campaign has been impressive as they registered a convincing nine-wicket win over Delhi at home.

However, the second round starting from Sunday could present a sterner test for the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led side when they face Services away at the Palam A ground in Delhi.

On paper, Bengal appear a better side. But the conditions at the venue may well go on to even things out between the two teams.

It was learnt that Bengal are mulling an extra spinner in their XI with only two quicks. “The conditions (at Palam) are likely to aid spinners more. So, we need to be mindful of our combination,” head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said on Saturday, the eve of the game.

All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed’s return certainly boosts Bengal, with left-armer Pradipta Pramanik and Aamir Gani set to be the other two spinners. In the pace attack, Bengal will be without both Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar as the duo are getting ready for the A tour of New Zealand.

Akash, though, has been picked for the two Tests as well against New Zealand.

In their absence, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal will most likely be included in the XI alongside senior pro Mohammed Shami. “We believe Shami will deliver again,” Shukla stated.

Gill presence

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill’s return to Ranji action for Punjab against Chhattisgarh in Mullanpur will be the main attraction of the second round of the country’s premier domestic competition.

Gill has been amongst loads of runs, including hitting a double century against the West Indies in the recent home ODIs. He had amassed 334 runs in the ODI series, which India won 2-1, averaging 167 to be adjudged Player of the Series.

Punjab, led by former India U-19 captain Uday Saharan, began their campaign securing three points against Assam by virtue of a first-innings lead.

In Bilaspur, Mumbai will be without their vice-captain and opener Ayush Mhatre for the game against Himachal Pradesh. Mhatre is nursing a Grade 4 tear in his right hamstring, which he suffered in the opening round.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, too, is unavailable because of his India A commitments in New Zealand.