Mohammed Shami gets Fresh Blow, Bengal leave out pacer from Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad

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India pacer Mohammed Shami has been handed a fresh blow as the pacer is left out of the Bengal squad for the first match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Shami, who is part of the Bengal squad for the domestic 50-over tournament, will have to sit on the sidelines for the opening match due to his workload management.

A statement from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) confirmed it on Thursday, stating the India fast bowler will be rested.

"India and Bengal veteran pacer Mohammad Shami will be rested for the Vijay Hazare Trophy opening match," a statement from CAB read on social media.

Shami made his elusive return to competitive cricket after his long injury layoff and represented Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently. The India Pacer was tipped to join the squad for the Australia tour but his injury issues have kept him out of the Indian squad. Shami had a swelling in his knee recently, which left him out of the New Zealand Test series and further complications and a lack of clearance from the National Cricket Academy halted his chances of joining the India squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

The 33-year-old has looked superb while playing in the SMAT for Bengal as his pace and accuracy were spot on. A recurrence of swelling in his knee warrants proper injury and workload management. Even India captain Rohit Sharma said about Shami's injury issues after the Brisbane Test, stating a clearance from NCA would ensure Shami's return to the squad.

"It's high time somebody from NCA talks about him. Really, that's our National Cricket Academy where he is doing his rehab. Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update," the India captain said.

Bengal will commence their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign against Delhi in Hyderabad. Sudip Kumar Gharami is set to lead the side while Mukesh Kumar has also joined the team.