Mohammed Shami returns to action for Bengal in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Mohammed Shami is expected to boost Bengal’s bowling attack this week

India’s premier pace bowler Mohammed Shami is set to return to action in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal in the month of December. Shami, who has been out of action since the 2015 World Cup, has been named in the squad for the tournament which is to be played from December 10 to December 28.

The 25-year-old had picked up an injury during India’s tour of Australia in December last year, and played the World Cup through the pain, even picking up 17 wickets and being India’s second highest wicket taker at the showpiece event.

He had a knee surgery in May, and has been in a rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. The Bengal team management have now named Shami as part of their 17-member squad for India’s most important 50-over domestic event, and it is hoped he will take the field for the match against Suresh Raina-led Uttar Pradesh on December 13.

With an ODI series in Australia and the World T20 looming, the Vijay Hazare meet is Shami’s chance to prove he is back in the groove. It had earlier been speculated that he might recover in time for featuring in the South Africa series.

Back after eight months: Shami

Bengal have been clubbed with Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Saurashtra in Group D of the tournament, to be held in Rajkot.

"I am back after eight months, so I am taking it slow and easy... I am gearing up to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It will be a good preparation going into the limited overs series against Australia," Shami said.

Bengal, who have qualified for the Ranji Trophy quarter final stage after an unbeaten run in the group stages, will also be boosted by the return of senior pro Wriddhiman Saha for the 50-over tournament. Bengal turned out to be the surprise package in the Ranji season, being the only team apart from favourites Mumbai to not have lost a single match till now.

Squad: Manoj Tiwary (captain), Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Wriddhiman Saha, Sudip Chatterjee, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sayan Sekhar Mondal, Sreevats Goswami, Pankaj Shaw, Debabrata Das, Aamir Gani, Pragyan Ojha, Mohammed Shami, Ashok Dinda, Mukesh Kumar, Sayan Ghosh, Pradipta Pramanik, Alok Pratap Singh

ICC ODI XI of the Year 2015 announced; Mohammed Shami lone Indian representative https://t.co/naskVN8zeH

— Sportskeeda Cricket (@SK__Cricket) December 2, 2015