Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India pacer and Mumbai Chief Selector Salil Ankola gave reasons for picking Arjun Tendulkar in the Mumbai squad for first two matches against Maharashtra and Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. Ankola said that the young seamer “has been bowling well” after recovering from an unfortunate injury and the team has been picked “looking at the future of Mumbai cricket.” Mumbai will lock horns with Maharashtra in Kolkata on 13th January as this year matches will played at neutral venues.
“Arjun (Tendulkar) has been bowling well, unfortunately, he was injured in between but he did well in whatever games he played thereafter. We have picked a team looking at the future of Mumbai cricket,” Ankola told.
This will be Arjun’s maiden Ranji Trophy, which didn’t take place last year due to COVID restrictions. The youngster had already played two T20 matches for Mumbai. Prithvi Shaw will lead the Mumbai squad. Tushar Deshpandey will miss the game because of an injury.
“Unfortunately Tushar Deshpande, our seamer, is injured but it’s a promising team. It’s a mixed team where we have picked players from under-19 and also who have been part of the Mumbai team for a few years.” Ankola said.
“Unfortunately due to the pandemic, red-ball cricket couldn’t take place last year but we have tried to cover all areas. There are a few young players like Prince Badiani, who did well in under 19 for us. We wanted to promote them and see how they do on the big stage. What we have seen is the players coming from under 19 have performed for the senior men team too. We are hopeful that the team will do well going ahead,” the chief selector added.