Kolkata : Bengal pacer Sayan Ghosh has rejoined the squad ahead of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27 ahead of clash against Karnataka at Mumbai.
Earlier, Sayan travelled with Mumbai Bengal on Wednesday but he flew back home after unfortunate news of his Father’s demise on early hours of Sunday, who was suffering from Lung cancer.
The pacer rushed back to Kolkata to be with his family and attend the last rites. It was a difficult moment for Sayan, and there was little thought of cricket in those hours. But with a strong mentality, Sayan rejoined the Bengal squad for practice session at Mumbai on Friday evening ahead of Karnataka clash.
The grief was still fresh, but Sayan wanted to be with the team. Confirming his return, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) treasurer Sanjay Das told The Hindu: “He has joined the team. He wanted to be with his teammates, and we will constantly back him.”
Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla, meanwhile, praised Sayan’s spirit and determination.
“He was determined to come back. His father had been suffering for a long time, and he always wanted Sayan to play cricket. So, Sayan wanted to return and be with the team as a tribute to his father, while also finding comfort in being around his teammates,” Shukla said.
The CAB and the team management have assured Sayan of their continued support as he navigates this difficult phase.
Bengal team went with touches of youth and experience in their squad for the marquee event. U23 skipper Shashank Singh, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler Prayas Ray Barman are in the side. The team also features legendary bowler Mohammed Shami who adds valuable experience. Mukesh Kumar also is in the team after returning from New Zealand tour playing for India ‘A’.
All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, who has been named in the India ‘A’ squad, will play Bengal’s opening match against Karnataka on Nov 14 before flying out to Doha for the Rising Stars Asia Cup tournament.
Bengal have been placed in group ‘A’ alongside Karnataka, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. All the group ‘A’ league matches will be held in Mumbai.
Bengal last won Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2010-11. Last year, Bengal finished in Group C at number 6, crushing out from group stage.
Bengal squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt.), Sudip Gharami, Yuvraj Keswani, Aditya Purohit, Abishek Porel (wk), Shakir Gandhi (wk), Karan Lal, Pradipta Pramanik, Sourav Halder, Prayas Ray Barman, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kanishk Seth, Sayan Ghosh, Syed Irfan Aftab, Akhilesh Yadav, Rishabh Chaudhary and Shashank Singh.
