Shami, who last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, has been sidelined since undergoing surgery earlier this year. His recovery is ongoing, and he has not yet regained full match fitness. Shami, a pivotal figure in India's pace attack, had previously expressed his intention to use domestic cricket as a platform to assess his fitness before making a return to international cricket. He stated, "If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will. What matters most is being fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format." Despite his willingness, the pacer has decided to prioritize a full recovery before stepping back onto the field. Shami's absence is undoubtedly a setback for Bengal as they gear up for the Ranji Trophy. His experience and skill would have been invaluable to the squad in the initial stages of the tournament.

However, the team has been boosted by the return of two veteran players, Wriddhiman Saha and Sudip Chatterjee, both of whom are expected to play crucial roles in the upcoming fixtures. Wriddhiman Saha, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, is making a return to the Bengal team. After a fallout with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) in 2022, Wriddhiman played for Tripura as both a player and a mentor. He made his first-class debut for Bengal in 2007 and is set to strengthen the team's batting lineup with his vast experience. Similarly, Sudip Chatterjee, a consistent performer in Bengal's top order, has also returned to the fold. His presence will be key for Bengal's success, especially in the early stages of the tournament.

Bengal's campaign begins with an away game against Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow on October 11, followed by a home fixture against Bihar. The 19-member squad, led by Anustup Majumdar, is hopeful of making a strong start despite Shami's absence. Bengal Squad: Anustup Majumdar (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Sudip Chatterjee, Wriddhiman Saha, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abishek Porel, Writtick Chatterjee, Avilin Ghosh, Shuvam Dey, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Jaiswal, Mohd Kaif, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Yudhajit Guha, Rohit Kumar, Rishav Vivek.