Pujara to lead Rest of India against Gujarat
Internet Desk: Following the completion of the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy final on Saturday at the Holker Cricket Stadium in Indore, where Gujarat beat Mumbai by 5 wickets to claim their maiden title, the BCCI has announced the Rest of India side to feature against the new Ranji champions, Gujarat in the Irani Trophy. The match will be played at the Cricket Club of India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai from January 20-24, 2017.
The Rest of India side will be led by Cheteshwar Pujara, with Wriddhiman Saha as their wicketkeeper, who makes a return to competitive cricket after being out due to an injury he picked up during the five-match Test series against England.
India’s number one wicket keeper in the Test matches Wriddhiman Saha who will make a comeback after recovering from injury when asked that he will face a tough competition from Parthiv Patel after his Ranji Trophy match winning innings he said,”I have no competition with anyone, whether it be domestic, Local or International cricket no one’s place is permanent, whoever will perform well will slip into the side, that is the rule. I will play my natural game and Irani Trophy will be no special game for me, I will give my hundred percent for the team.”
Another Bengal aspirant who got a chance in the Irani Trophy side is Batsman Manoj Tiwary who reacted by saying,”I am very greatful to the selectors that they have given me an opportunity to prove myself. I am practicing hard these days and this opportunity undoubtedly has boosted my morale. I will try my level best to prove myself and do well.”
Rest of India Squad: Abhinav Mukund, Akhil Herwadkar, Cheteshwar Pujara (captain), Karun Nair, Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha, Kuldeep Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem, Pankaj Singh, K Vignesh, Siddarth Kaul, Shardul Thakur, Akshay Wakhare, Ishan Kishan, Prashant Chopra