KOLKATA — The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has finalized its 17-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season opener against Delhi, headlined by the return of wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel. The announcement comes amidst a whirlwind of headlines surrounding Porel, who recently secured bail following his arrest in August on serious charges, including allegations of rape and violations of the Information Technology Act.
Porel’s return to the competitive fold marks his first appearance since the conclusion of the 2026 IPL season. His legal troubles began in mid-August when the Mogra police in the Hooghly district took him into custody following a formal complaint filed by a medical student from Karnataka. The complainant alleged that the pair had been in a relationship spanning three-and-a-half years, during which she claimed Porel had promised marriage—allegations that led to charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Section 69, which deals with sexual intercourse by deceitful means.
Despite the gravity of the ongoing legal situation, the Bengal cricket hierarchy has maintained a stance of non-interference. When Porel was initially named to the squad for preparatory practice matches in Guwahati last month, a CAB official stated that the association viewed the proceedings as a “personal and legal matter,” adding that they would only re-evaluate their position should the legal landscape regarding the athlete shift significantly.
Venue Shift for Elite Group C Opener
The administrative maneuvering behind this season opener extends beyond personnel choices. The highly anticipated clash against Delhi, originally slated to be the centerpiece at the legendary Eden Gardens, has been shifted to the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani.
The move is logistical, necessitated by high-profile preparations at Eden Gardens. The historic stadium is currently being repurposed to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit for the inauguration of the city’s Durga Puja festivities leading up to Mahalaya on October 10. As the city prepares for its most significant cultural event, the Bengal squad will instead look to build their momentum in the suburban atmosphere of Kalyani.
Star-Studded Pace Battery Returns
While the focus has been heavily fixed on Porel’s availability, the broader composition of the Bengal squad reflects an ambitious push for the Ranji title. Bengal has assembled an imposing pace attack, boasting the inclusion of veteran Indian international Mohammed Shami. His presence, alongside the reliable Mukesh Kumar and the electric Akash Deep, provides the side with a formidable edge.
For Akash Deep, the match represents a crucial window for reclamation. Returning from an injury layoff that hampered his recent progression, the pacer will be using the Ranji season opener as a springboard to sharpen his rhythm and conditioning. His performance here will be monitored closely as he eyes a spot for India’s impending tour of New Zealand.
The leadership group remains stable, with the experienced Abhimanyu Easwaran retaining the captaincy. He will be assisted by vice-captain Sudip Kumar Gharami. Notably absent from the roster is all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, who is currently sidelined while recovering from an injury sustained during the Duleep Trophy.
Looking Ahead: A High-Stakes Campaign
Bengal enters the 2026-27 domestic season with a point to prove. After a dominant showing in the group stages last year, their aspirations were unceremoniously halted in the semi-finals by eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir.
The squad finds themselves in a congested Elite Group C, sharing the table with formidable opponents including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Services. As they prepare to kick off their campaign in Kalyani, the management will be hoping that the distraction of legal controversies and venue relocations does not impede their quest for domestic supremacy.
Bengal Squad: 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.
Stand-bys: Karan Lal, Akhilesh Yadav, Geet Puri, Abishek Kr. Raman, Subham Sarkar, Sumit Mohanta, Aditya Purohit.
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