On eve of Ranji match, Oz bound Shami yet to join Bengal squad

KOLKATA: Australia-bound India pacer Mohammed Shami is yet to join the Bengal team ahead of its Ranji Trophy match against Kerala beginning here Tuesday.

Shami had been cleared by the BCCI to play Bengal’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fixture against Kerala on condition that he would only bowl 15-17 overs per innings. The pacer, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was expected to join the side on Sunday but was conspicuous by his absence on the eve of the match. However, Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary said that the India pacer had gone to his native place and would join later on Monday.

“There’s a death in his family. He’s gone to attend that. Family is always first priority. He is coming this evening. I have no issues,” Tiwary said. “I don’t think he has done it purposefully. There’s a reason behind it.”

DEPLETED DELHI TAKE ON HYDERABAD

HYDERABAD: Having missed out on a golden opportunity to log full points in the opener, Delhi, sans senior stars Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, will face Hyderabad in an away encounter of the Ranji Trophy from Tuesday. Delhi failed to win outright in their opening group league match at home against Himachal Pradesh and Hyderabad were no better, having conceded first innings lead in both their matches.

However, Delhi will miss Gambhir more as Ishant was available for only one match as per BCCI’s specific workload management programme.

Gambhir, who scored 44 and 49 in the opening game, is suffering from a shoulder niggle and had excused himself from this away encounter.

“It’s always nice if an experienced player like Gautam is around. He will certainly be missed as he also guides the juniors. But at the same time, I would look at it as an opportunity where a junior player will get a chance to make a mark,” Delhi coach Mithun Manhas said.