In a major boost to their hopes of making it to the knock out stages of the Ranji Trophy, Bengal is set to be bolstered by the presence of Indian fast bowlers Mohammad Shami for their third group match against Kerala starting November 20.
Shami has decided to turn up for Bengal to gain some much-needed match practice before he flies to Australia for the four-match Test series starting on December 6 at Adelaide.
"Shami has expressed his interest to play. If he plays, it's good for the Bengal side," CAB president Sourav Ganguly said.
Shami, who is no longer considered for T20Is, was also released from India’s ODI squad after the first two matches against the Windies, giving him ample time to rest before the Australia tour. The Bengal speedster, however, has decided to keep himself ready before the Test series by paying a Ranji Trophy match.
Shami visited his Bengal teammates on the sidelines of the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh on Monday.
Bengal opened their Ranji Trophy campaign with first innings lead in Himachal and currently facing Madhya Pradesh at home.
"We had written a letter before the first match as well to play him but he had few fitness issues for which he had to undergo rehabilitation. If he plays, it's great," Ganguly added.
India will play three T20Is, followed by four Test matches and a three-match ODI series against Australia. The T20I series begins from November 21 while the first five-day will be played in Adelaide on December 6.