India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would not get to play in the Ranji Trophy final as his permission to play for Saurashtra has been denied by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. Jadeja has been a key member of the Indian squad for the last couple of years and he is expected to train with the India team for the upcoming South Africa series during the Ranji Trophy final. While the final of the Ranji Trophy will begin on March 9, India’s first ODI against South Africa will be played on March 12.
“I spoke to him [Ganguly] and was told that the board can’t allow Jadeja to play Ranji as country comes first,” Jaydev Shah, the SCA president was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
“If BCCI wants people to watch their premier domestic cricket then no international game should be held during Ranji final, henceforth. It’s my suggestion. Will BCCI keep an international match during IPL? No, because it gives money.”
According to him, the highest level of domestic cricket can only be popular if the well-known players play at least in the final of the tournament and for this, international cricket during finals must not be scheduled. H further added that he would love to see Jadeja in the final of the Ranji Trophy playing for them and also the Indian speedster Mohammad Shami for Bengal as well since Bengal have also reached the final after beating Karnataka convincingly.
Saurashtra will, however, get the services of India’s star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara for the final. This is their fourth appearance in the final of the Ranji Trophy while Bengal have reached after many years. However, Bengal will be able to get the service of Wriddhiman Saha in the crucial clash.
While Bengal have their young pace gun Ishan Porel whose five-wicket haul dismantled Karnataka recently and helped Bengal reach the final, Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat’s formidable form where he has claimed 65 wickets in this Ranji season will be crucial too. He has broken a 21-year-long record which was held by Dodda Ganesh of 62 wickets in a single season. His bowling helped the team to reach the Ranji final as well where he led from the front with a seven-wicket haul and bowled Gujarat out for 234 in the final session on day five.
