Teams are usually reluctant to disturb a winning combination ahead of a big match. But when a semifinal or final is at stake, every side wants its trump card available. That was evident in the 2020 Ranji Trophy final in Rajkot, when Shreevats Goswami was benched to make way for Riddhiman Saha in the title clash. During the semifinal that season, Riddhi had been on tour in New Zealand with Team India.
A similar situation has arisen this time, with Bengal keen to secure the services of Abishek Porel for the semifinal. Having recently recovered from injury, Abishek is currently at the Centre for Excellence in Bengaluru. According to sources within the Bengal camp, the team management reached out to officials in Bengaluru in an attempt to bring him back for the semifinal. However, they were informed that there is no possibility of Bengal’s wicketkeeper being released before February 20.
Bengal’s semifinal against Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled from February 15 to 19. As a result, Laxmiratan Shukla’s side will depend on Shakir Habib Gandhi for the crucial encounter. At this stage, the team is not looking too far ahead regarding Abishek’s availability for a potential final. A member of the team management said, "We are thinking match by match. The final matter will be seen after reaching the final."
Bengal began preparations in Kalyani on Thursday, with Mohammed Sami expected to join the squad on Friday.
The Jammu and Kashmir team, which has reached the Ranji semifinal for the first time, is also set to practice in Kalyani. Much of the discussion ahead of the match has centred on Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi. Even so, sources indicate that around four millimetres of grass is being maintained on the Kalyani surface.
This suggests that, despite Nabi’s pace threat, Bengal’s pace trio of Sami, Mukesh and Akash Deep could emerge as the key factor in the semifinal.
