Abhishek Nayar to Miss Pre-Season Camp, Have to Wait For 100th First-class Match

Abhishek Nayar, the all-rounder whose dream of playing his 100^th first-class game might not pan out as quickly as he would have expected.

The senior selection committee of Mumbai decided against picking Abhishek for the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) fitness camp. He was dropped from the last season after faring pretty poorly in the previous Ranji Trophy season.

Nayar managed to score only 130 runs at an average of 18.57. He managed to bag just eight wickets.

Most of the senior players have found their names in the squad. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Aditya Tare, and Siddhesh Lad have found a place in the side.

Nayar’s exclusion from the fitness camp signals that they have moved on from Nayar while considering the future.

In addition, the committee which is headed by former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar, Nilesh Kulkarni, Jatin Paranjape and Sunil More has made It pretty clear that the only criteria for selection will be on the basis of current form.

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MCA clarifies Nayar has to return on the back of runs only

As per sources in the MCA, it is being noted that he has to prove his fitness. Also, a form to get back in the Mumbai reckoning.

“He will be only considered if he scores runs in local cricket. There are other youngsters who are also waiting for a chance. If Nayar has to come back in the Mumbai team, he will have to come back with plenty of runs behind him,” sources in the MCA said.

Despite not being able to fare as a player he has been quite effective as a supporting coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He has been recognized as the one who played a big a role to rediscover his form.

It was also learnt that many in the Mumbai Ranji team wanted Abhishek Nayar to coach the team when Sameer Dighe decided to end his tenure with them.

Meanwhile, the selection committee includes the name of Arman Jaffer, who is the nephew of former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer. He missed the last season owing to a knee injury.

Two young guns Prithvi Shaw and Jay Bista has maintained their place for the pre-season camp.

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