Indian batsman – Cheteshwar Pujara – has been included in the Saurashtra’s Ranji trophy squad for their first three matches. Currently, Pujara is on national duty and will only be available after the third and the final Test match which is scheduled to be played between October 8 to October 12, which means that he will participate in state’s third fixture as he is not a member of limited overs format and there is a break of almost one month in between the Test series against England.
During this period the Indian team will play 5 ODIs against New Zealand, last one being played on October 29.
Ravindra Jadeja, a regular member of the Indian team in all formats has not been included in 18 members squad as he is set to miss the full domestic season due to international duties.
Jaydev Shah, the regular captain, has been once again been handed over the reins to lead the team. The squad also includes Sheldon Jackson who scored 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries in the Pink ball Duleep trophy. He has a strong chance of making it to the Indian team if he performs well in the starting rounds of Rani Trophy. Jaydev Unadkat will again lead the fast bowling line up with likes of Hardik Rathod assisting him.
The squad also includes regulars like Sagar Jigiyani, Avi Barot, Chirag Jani.
The domestic veteran Sitanshu Kotak has once again been appointed as the head coach. Dr Arjunsinh Rana has been appointed as the team manager; Neeraj Odedara has been given charge of Assistant coach whereas Abhishek Thakar will be the team’s Physio for the upcoming season.
Saurashtra will kick off their Ranji trophy campaign against Rajasthan at MA Chidambaram stadium, Chennai, followed by their next game against Odisha at Hyderabad.
This year the BCCI has introduced the concept neutral venue system in Ranji trophy, according to which the teams will play their all eight games on different venues with none of the game played at their home ground.
Saurashtra’s squad for first 3 matches in Ranji Trophy 2016-17is as follows:
Jaydev Shah (c), Sheldon Jackson, Sagar Jogiyani, Avi Barot, Arpit Vasavada, Jaydev Unadkat, Chirag Jani, Dharmendra Jadeja, Samarth Vyas, Shaurya Sanandiya, Mohsin Dodiya, Deepak Puniya, Hardik Rathod, Vandit Jivrajani, Kushang Patel, Amitoze Singh and Sunil Yadav.