Ranji Tropnhy – The Hindu

A formidable Bengal, studded with star pacers Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep and a bunch of experienced batters, will look to start its season on a winning note when it takes on Uttarakhand in a Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Eden Gardens here from Wednesday.

In the backdrop of heavy monsoon rain and the reputation of the Eden Gardens pitch helping the pacers, Bengal, which failed to impress last season, will rely on its sound preparations to make this season’s campaign memorable.

Shami, the spearhead of Bengal’s pace battery, will be eager to prove his fitness and form to serve the team well and then regain his place in the Indian side.

Combining for the first time with Shami, Akash, who recovered from an injury to play in the Irani Cup, will try to return to his peak ahead of the South Africa series.

Suraj Jaiswal and Ishan Porel may provide support to their better-known colleagues.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, who returns as the captain after 2022, Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, Anustup Majumdar and young vice-captain Abishek Porel should be the key contributors with the bat.

Abhimanyu, still awaiting his Test cap despite being part of the Indian team for some years, said: “It’s exciting to lead Bengal again. Will try to give my best as a player and as a captain.”

Uttarakhand, coming off a forgettable season, has a mix of experience and youth.

Prashant Chopra, Jagadeesha Suchith and skipper Kunal Chandela are among the seasoned campaigners. Promising players such as Aarav Mahajan, Sagar Rawat and Yuvraj Chaudhary have done well in the Uttarakhand Premier League and will be keen to prove their worth in red ball cricket.

“We’re not nurturing a mindset that India pacers are going to bowl at us. Bengal is a big team, but we’re well-prepared,” said Chandela.