Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Sunday dismissed speculation surrounding Mohammed Shami's absence from the team's Ranji Trophy second round match against Services, saying the senior fast bowler was fit and had himself asked to be rested after bowling a heavy workload in the previous round.
Shami was expected to lead Bengal's pace attack in their second match of the season, with Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar unavailable due to India A commitments. However, the 36-year-old was not included in the playing XI for the fixture at the Palam ground in New Delhi.
His absence came shortly after he was overlooked for India's upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, which fuelled speculation about his physical condition and whether the selection snub had influenced his availability. Shukla, however, played down the talk and insisted the choice was solely about workload management.
Shukla told reporters at the end of the day's play that Shami is fully fit and simply requested a break after delivering a high number of overs against Delhi in the previous round. The coach added that resting the veteran gives the team an opportunity to evaluate fresh faces in the bowling lineup.
Shami had begun his Ranji Trophy campaign strongly against Delhi in Kalyani, taking four wickets for 30 runs across 17.3 overs, which included nine maidens. Following that match, the fast bowler had pointed to his active presence on the field as proof of his readiness.
During Sunday's match, there were no indications that Shami was distancing himself from cricket activities. He engaged in extensive discussions with the team physio, had trained on the eve of the game, and participated in batting practice by facing throwdowns near the sight screen after play concluded, while also assisting with team equipment.
On the field, Bengal were dismissed for 184 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with captain Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the scores with 56 runs. In response, Services finished stumps at 83 for five, trailing by 101 runs, as Bengal bowlers Pradipta Pramanik and Aamir Gani claimed two wickets apiece alongside one from Shahbaz Ahmed.