Indian seamer Mohammed Shami has been allowed to play the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match for Bengal against Kerala starting from Tuesday at Eden Gardens by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but on one condition – he will be allowed to bowl 15 overs per innings, with a “grace” of not more than two or three overs, according to a report by Cricbuzz.
With the pacer selected in India’s squad for the Test series against Australia starting next month, the BCCI has put forth the condition to ensure he remains fit for the series. The report adds that the BCCI has directed the Bengal team management to send a fitness and workload report of the bowler to the board physio after the end of each day’s play during the Ranji match.
The conditions ensued on Shami have been accepted by the Bengal team, and the right-armer has been included in the 16-member squad announced on Friday. After the selection committee meeting at the Cricket Association of Bengal on Friday, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary welcomed the seamer in the squad.
“India obviously comes first and we have to respect what the BCCI has said,” he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. The captain added that 15 overs are more than enough for the bowler to inflict some damage on the opposition. “I don’t think he (Shami) will need so many overs. 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,” he said.
With the 3-match T20I series against Australia set to begin from November 21, Indian cricket team has already reached Australia. The Test series between the two teams will begin from December 4, with the first Test set to take place in Adelaide.
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