Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Abhimanyu Easwaran to lead; Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep set to boost bowling unit as Bengal name team

The Cricket Association of Bengal just revealed the senior men’s team for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The unit will be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, a steady top-order hitter. Easwaran scored three half-centuries in five innings for India A after the previous domestic season ended. His most recent fifty was for the Rest of India in the 2025 Irani Cup.

Abishek Porel has been appointed as Easwaran’s deputy. The batting lineup will be led by veterans such as Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Chatterjee. Promising teenager Sudip Kumar Gharami has also been chosen and is anticipated to play an important role.

Rahul Prasad, Saurabh Kumar Singh, and Vishal Bhati round out the young group. Bengal’s bowling squad will be bolstered by

The addition of ace fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, both of whom will be expected to strike early against the new red ball.

Mohammad Kaif, Shami’s brother and a bowling all-rounder, is not on the list.

Shami last played for India in March 2025, when the Men in Blue won the Champions Trophy. For the time being, his route to an international comeback is hampered by injuries and bad form. A good Ranji Trophy might potentially turn things around. Akash Deep, on the other side, has played 10 Tests for India to far.

Former experienced all-rounder from Bengal Laxmi Ratan Shukla will continue his role as head coach. Arup Bhattacharjee and Shib Shankar Paul will be assisting him. Charanjit Singh Matharu has been selected to serve as the fielding coach.