The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has named wicketkeeper-batsman Abishek Porel to a 17-man squad for the team’s first Ranji Trophy encounter of the season, a home game against Delhi in Kalyani. His selection is the announcement’s main talking point.
Abishek Porel has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2026. In August, Kolkata police detained him in connection with claims of rape and other sexual offences. The CAB has gone ahead with his selection, following the same strategy it used when he was first summoned for Bengal’s practice game in Guwahati last month.
Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the team, with Sudip Kumar Gharami as his deputy. Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep are among India’s pacers. Shahbaz Ahmed, who sustained an injury during the Duleep Trophy, will miss out.
Why has the CAB persisted to choose Abishek Porel, despite his legal situation?
When Abishek Porel was recalled for Guwahati practice matches last month, a CAB officer addressed the situation directly. The association’s attitude was that his off-field circumstances would not be an impediment to selection unless an official instruction stated otherwise. That viewpoint has been underlined by his selection in the Ranji Trophy squad.
What does Bengal’s squad look like heading into the 2019 Ranji Trophy season?
Bengal enters the new season with momentum from the previous season, when they won their group and advanced to the semi-finals before falling to eventual champions Jammu & Kashmir. The foundation of that group is mostly intact, providing the team a stable appearance as they begin their title bid.
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The pace department is a clear strength, with Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep all eligible for selection. Shakir Habib Gandhi, like Abishek Porel, provides wicketkeeping cover. The squad has seven standbys who provide depth in all departments, while Shahbaz Ahmed’s absence leaves a void in the all-round role.
Bengal entire squad for the Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi.
Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Sudip Kumar Gharami (vice-capt), Sudip Chatterjee, Abishek Porel (wk), Shakir Habib Gandhi (wk), Ankur Paul, Sumanta Gupta, Ankit Shukla, Subham Chatterjee, Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Md. Kaif, Soummyadip Mandal.
