Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Bengal’s Mohammad Shami allowed to bowl only 15 overs per innings against Kerala

Shami is a part of India’s 18-man squad for the four-Test series in Australia next month.

Mohammad Shami | Getty

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed conditions for speedster Mohammad Shami as he is gearing up to play for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘B’ match against Kerala Eden Gardens from Tuesday.

Given that Shami is a part of India’s 18-man squad for the four-Test series in Australia next month, the cricket board has allowed the pacer to bowl 15 overs per innings with a ‘grace’ of no more than two to three overs in the Ranji game.

As per a report in TOI, the BCCI has also told the Bengal team management to send a fitness and workload report of Shami to the board physio at the end of each day’s play. Bengal had no issues with the restrictions and included Shami in the 16-member squad on Friday (November 16).

Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary also welcomed Shami’s inclusion in the squad.

“India obviously comes first and we have to respect what the BCCI has said,” Tiwary said.

He believes 15 overs are more than sufficient for Shami to deliver if he is in full throttle.

“I don’t think he (Shami) will need so many overs (15). We are confident about his ability; and with the type of result-oriented pitch we are planning to play on in this match, I believe he will do the job along with the other bowlers,” Tiwary added.

The selection committee decided to snub medium-pacer B Amit from the squad alongside spinner Shahbaz Ahmad. Bengal will also miss the services of opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been picked to join India A on their tour of New Zealand. Batsman Purab Joshi has been named as Abhimanyu’s replacement while pacer Amit Kulia also makes a comeback.

(With TOI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 17 Nov, 2018

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