Down With Fever Wriddhiman Saha Misses Ranji Trophy Semifinal Against Delhi

Bengal team suffered a blow on the morning of their semifinal contest against Delhi when Wriddhiman Saha, who was all set to play was ruled out due to fever.

Saha was allowed by BCCI to play the semifinal so as to get some match practice ahead of the South Africa tour but with him being ruled out, it came as a blow for the team and Saha himself.

Saha’s absence meant Shreevats Goswami retained his place in the team. He was all set to get dropped from the side, but Saha’s unavailability provided Goswami with another chance.

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Though Bengal still boasts Mohammed Shami in their side. VVS Laxman has already joined the team management on the eve of the game and Sourav Ganguly to has joined the team on the first day of the game. Still, Saha’s absence will hurt Bengal.

Meanwhile, amidst much confusion, finally, Umesh Yadav was included in the playing XI of Vidarbha in the semifinal against Karnataka. Until the eve of the game, the Vidarbha coach and team management did not know about his availability, and it was only on the day of the game when Umesh got a green signal to play the semifinal.

He, along with Shami and Saha, was allowed to play the semifinal. Players like R Ashwin, Murali Vijay and Ravindra Jadeja will go with no match practice to South Africa, as their teams have not qualified for the Ranji Trophy semifinal.

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The contest between Bengal and Delhi is the marquee clash out of the two semifinals. Bengal skipper, Manoj Tiwary, has already put up a challenge in front of Delhi by terming his side as the favourite to win the game. Delhi is a much-inexperienced side compared to Bengal. Still, they have emerged out as one of the best sides in the tournament.

The semifinal games have already started. At the times writing the news, Bengal team was two down for 57 in 19 overs. Delhi batting line-up will have the biggest challenge to face Mohammed Shami and Ashok Dinda with the new ball when the inexperienced line-up come out to bat in the second innings.

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