Kolkata: All four teams like Bengal, Viderbha, Delhi and Karnataka will get the services of the star Indian international players, confirmed the BCCI today. The teams have been picked later in the evening, but www.xtratime.in broke the news in afternoon that the Indian internationals would play the Ranji Trophy semifinals.
Karnataka will get the service of star Indian opener KL Rahul, India’s pace Mohammad Shami and wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha will play for their state side Bengal, Ishant Sharma will spearhead Delhi’s bowling line up and last but not the least Umesh Yadav will be a part of Viderbha side.
Earlier the board had told all the State Associations that all the international players who have been picked for the tour against South Africa won’t play any Ranji Trophy game as the team needs them fresh for the tour.
But later the situation changed a lot. The BCCI told Cricket South Africa (CSA) that they won’t play any practice game in South Africa and will only do practice their to get accustomed with the atmosphere. As the players won’t get any practice game, the board later decided that they will allow the players to play Ranji Trophy semifinals for their respective states who are not playing the ongoing limited overs series against Sri Lanka but are present in the South Africa touring squad.
It is quite evident that the inclusion of Shami and Wriddhiman will boost Bengal’s confidence against a strong side like Delhi who has cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma in their line-up. Bengal will face Delhi in the semis of the Ranji Trophy which is set to start from December 17 at Pune’s MCA Stadium.
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After the selection of Bengal team, former India skipper and CAB President Sourav Ganguly said,” BCCI has given them the green signal to play for Bengal and that’s why they will go to Pune with the team.”
Bengal’s star left-hand batsman Sudip Chatterjee couldn’t play the quarter final match for the side against the defending champions Gujarat due to viral fevour. On being asked about the matter Sudip said,” I couldn’t play the last game against Gujarat due to viral fevour and that grief will remain in my mind for the rest of my life. I will give my 100 percent against Delhi. They are a very good side and it will be a very good game.”