Mohammad Shami may not be available for Bengal's knock-out leg of the Ranji Trophy but the talented India speedster ensured that his statemates get some quality net-practice ahead of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Railways starting Wednesday.
"It's very good to have Shami with us before the match. The batsmen are getting good practice with Shami bowling at the nets. His heart is always with the team, even when he's away. He keeps enquiring about us. He's also getting good practice by being with us in this short break," senior pacer Ashoke Dinda said about Shami today.
It's the same team against which Bengal players refused the customary handshake as they conceded three points in a controversial manner after Railways skipper Murali Kartik 'Mankaded' Sandipan Das.
But Bengal showed amazing resilience with home and away wins against Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to storm into the quarters.
Dinda said they had forgotten what happened in the league match in New Delhi and were looking forward to seal their semis berth.
"After a long time, we're into the Ranji quarters, there's nothing to look back from here on," Dinda said of Bengal who last played quarters in 2007-08 when they lost to Tamil Nadu.
"We've completely forgotten our league match against Railways. We've played two matches after that and have reached the quarters. Our focus is currently on the three remaining matches, beginning with the quarters.
