Shahbaz Ahmed is currently the most valuable player in Bengal. Over the past two seasons, whenever Bengal have found themselves struggling in the Ranji Trophy, the 27-year-old all-rounder has made a saving act.
Shahbaz Ahmed enjoyed a breakthrough 2019-20 season where his all-around exploits (509 carries and 35 wickets) propelled Bengal to the Ranji final after a 13-year hiatus.
Shahbaz Ahmed was bought out by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 8 times his base price at the IPL 2022 mega auction
Shahbaz Ahmed delivered another winning effort in Bengal’s latest Ranji Trophy Elite Group B outing against Hyderabad. After scoring over 40 runs in the two innings, including a gritty 51 in the second, he picked up three wickets [3/41] in the fourth inning.
He was preceded by his 71* in the fourth set of Game 1 against Baroda, where he stitched an unbroken 108-point partnership with debutant Abhishek Porel [53*] to orchestrate a thrilling four-wicket victory.
IPL, on the other hand, gave Shahbaz Ahmed a platform to prove his credentials in white ball cricket. His shrewd left-arm spin earned former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli’s trust so much that the latter handed him the 17th in a crucial game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021.
As usual, Shahbaz Ahmed did not disappoint. He broke through SRH’s midfield order by sacking Jonny Bairstow, Manish Pandey and Abdul Samad, turning the tide in favor of RCB. Impressed by his temper, RCB bought him back at the mega auction last month for ₹2.40 crore, eight times his base price.
The Haryana-born cricketer had to struggle with the ‘outsider’ label when he first arrived in Kolkata around eight years ago. But he put in valuable performances for Tapan Memorial in the CAB Premier League. His perseverance paid off when he received his first call-up from Bengal in 2018 and he hasn’t looked back since.
Shahbaz Ahmed has enjoyed his time bowling under the captaincy of Virat Kohli and wants to be a versatile player like Ravindra Jadeja
An aggressive left-handed batsman with a knack for breaking partnerships with the ball, Shahbaz Ahmed is also an excellent defender. He now aspires to emulate Ravindra Jadeja for Bengal and RCB before making the jump to the Indian team.
Speaking ahead of Bengal’s third and final Ranji Group game against Chandigarh from Thursday, the engineer-turned-cricketer spoke about his cricketing journey so far and his development as a finisher. He also dwelt on his experience playing under Virat Kohli and how it brought out the best in him.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing cricket more than anything. I never doubted that I would become a professional cricketer,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“When I was younger I played a lot of matches with and against professional players in Delhi NCR so I saw the process up close. Gradually I soaked up that culture and moved to the West Bengal about eight years ago for better opportunities,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“I had no prior intention of playing for Bengal. I have just arrived in Calcutta to play local cricket which is famous throughout the country. I was signed by a club called Tapan Memorial, for which I continue to play to date.
“After doing well in the CABs [Cricket Association of Bengal] premier league league for three years, I got my first call-up from Bengal in 2018,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“When I started playing in the CAB Premier League, many clubs objected to my participation claiming that I was an ‘outsider’. Fortunately, the CAB investigated and gave me the green light to continue playing in the top division league,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“I used to bowl part-time during my formative years. My bowling improved dramatically once I arrived in Kolkata and started playing local cricket for three days,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“I had no role models growing up. However, I like how Ravindra Jadeja has played for the Indian team for the past few years. I aspire to be a versatile player like him for my state and also for my IPL franchise,” says the versatile player.
“If the management of the team thinks that I can be a winner of the batting match in the lower-middle order, I am happy to play this role. I will do whatever is necessary to win more matches for Bengal in the next days. I don’t think there’s a chance of my selection [in the Indian team] right now,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“I have enjoyed my time playing under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. He is a bowler captain. He is massively supportive of bowlers. If we remain as determined as Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers, we can do much better in domestic cricket. I want to play for RCB for many more years and become a much improved version of myself,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
“It was Yuzvendra Chahal who gave me my RCB cap. What he has achieved for RCB is incredible. He has mentored me in many ways over the past two seasons.
“I wish him the best on his new journey. [with Rajasthan Royals]. I‘m really looking forward to playing alongside Hasaranga this season. I obviously want to help Bengal and RCB to win trophies,” says Shahbaz Ahmed.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have selected a total of 19 players in the IPL 2022 auction. Faf du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasarangaand Josh Hazlewood, were some of the key players RCB chose from the IPL 2022 auction. for Rs. 7 crores.
