Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has confirmed his availability to feature in Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra in Rajkot, even as the Delhi and District Cricket Association awaits a word from former India skipper Virat Kohli.
In 2023-24, the BCCI had stripped Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer of their annual contracts after the duo did not turn up for their respective state sides despite not being on national duty. While the move set a precedent for many, it may not be the same in the case of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli — with both the veterans battling a prolonged lean patch in red-ball cricket.
Former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has announced his decision to retire from first-class cricket after the end of the ongoing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. Saha, a veteran of 40 Tests, returned to represent his home state — West Bengal ahead of the ongoing season.
Though Mohammed Shami was a notable omission from India’s squad for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his ongoing ankle injury recovery, there is a likelihood of him joining the team mid-way after making a return to competitive cricket through last two rounds of the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
Opener Sudip Chatterjee scored a century as Bengal posted 269/7 in their first innings on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
Unadkat's side has been strengthened with the return of Cheteshwar Pujara and while the batsman was unwell on Monday and retired hurt, the captain is confident that he will do well on Tuesday.
Saurashtra, bolstered by the return of Cheteshwar Pujara, start as favourites but a spiritually motivated Bengal will know they have it in them to pull off an upset of sorts.
During Ranji Trophy final, India will be playing South Africa at home which probably stopped Ganguly from giving Jadeja the nod as the Gujarat cricketer is a valuable asset for the Men in Blue.
Chintan Gaja' fiery spell had brought Gujarat back into contention on the third day, but Vasavada's seventh first-class hundred, and the third this season, swung the momentum in favour of the hosts.
Anustup Majumdar's 149 gave Bengal the edge in the first innings. The right-handed batsman, who was declared Player of the Match, scored 41 runs in the following innings.
