Kolkata: India cricketer Yusuf Pathan has decided to take a break from Baroda’s next Ranji Trophy Group A clash against Bengal starting on Monday at Chowdhury Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli. The Kolkata Knight Riders cricketer has informed the Baroda team management about his unavailability citing family reasons.
Confirming the news to xtratime.in Yusuf said, “I have decided not to play the next three Ranji fixture in order to keep myself fit for the One Day matches and IPL next season. I have informed the team management about my decision. It will be a much needed break for me as I can spend quality time with my family and kids in particular.”
It will no doubt be a huge blow to Baroda as he has been a premier all rounder for them. Although Yusuf will not play the tie, his brother Irfan will lead the side against Bengal.
Baroda is languishing at the bottom of the points table in Group A with only 3 points from 5 matches. In the last match against Railways, they were comprehensively outplayed by 7 wickets at the hands of Railways at the VCA stadium in Nagpur.
Bengal on the other hand will go into the match after losing crucial points against Tamil Nadu. Manoj Tiwary and his team had to be satisfied with 1 point after conceding the first innings lead. Bengal is now at fifth position in the table with 16 points from 4 matches.
The wicket at Lahli has produced results in all the matches played at the venue. All the matches played at the ground were low scoring affairs with Priyank Panchal scoring the only century for Gujarat in the last match against Railways.
Mumbai heads the points table with 25 points from 5 matches followed by Tamil Nadu (20), Gujarat (18) and Punjab (16).