MUMBAI: Star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to become the latest India player to make himself available for his state’s next Ranji Trophy match. TOI has learnt that Jadeja, who was on Saturday picked in India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy and the ODI series against England at home, is set to turn out for Saurashtra in their Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at Rajkot from Jan 23.
“Yes, Jadeja will play for Saurashtra in their next Ranji match. He trained with Saurashtra team at Rajkot today,” a reliable source told this paper. The 36-year-old will not be the Saurashtra captain for this match, though, with veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat leading the side.
The Delhi versus Saurashtra Ranji match is now set to witness a fascinating duel between dashing ‘keeper-bat Rishabh Pant, who will turn out for Delhi, and Jadeja.
Jadeja has played 135 first-class matches, in which he has taken a staggering 542 wickets@23.88, with 34 five-wicket hauls scored 7466 runs@43.66, with 13 centuries and 39 fifties.
The next round of the Ranji Trophy, which is the first round of the matches in the second leg of the tournament, is now set to feature a host of top internationals who have decided to participate in domestic cricket when free. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and talented opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will feature for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir at the Mumbai Cricket Association ground in BKC, while Pant and Jadeja will play in the Delhi versus Saurashtra clash at Rajkot.
Opener Shubman Gill, who is the vice-captain of the India ODI team, will turn out for Punjab against Karnataka . Only Virat Kohli (neck sprain) and KL Rahul (elbow injury) will be missing in action due to injuries.
In a new policy document recently, the BCCI made it clear that participation in domestic matches is mandatory for players to remain eligible for selection for India and for central contracts.
On Saturday, during the media conference to announce the India squads for the Champions Trophy and the ODI series versus England, Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the national selection committee, made it clear that while there is no official directive to the players, they are advised to play domestic cricket as and when possible.
“Sometimes, to be fair to a lot of the players, it’s difficult if you are playing all three formats. You don’t get as much time, but there’s no doubt that they should play domestic cricket. You will probably find most of the guys playing this round of Ranji Trophy. It’s one of the things that the BCCI has obviously put forward. But as selectors, we expect people when they’re available to play because that can only strengthen our domestic structure. Not just for their form or their fitness and playing cricket, but it can only strengthen our domestic structure,” Agarkar said.
