Saurashtra vs Rest of India in Irani Cup 2023-24 match
In the world of Indian cricket, leadership often represents the zenith of a player's career. It's not just about captaining a team but leading by example, both on and off the field. In a significant development, Hanuma Vihari, the talented cricketer who has already made a name for himself, has been appointed as the captain of the Rest of India (ROI) team for the highly anticipated Irani Cup clash against Ranji champions, Saurashtra. This matchup, set to begin on October 1 in Rajkot, has garnered immense attention from cricket enthusiasts across the country.
The Captaincy Journey of Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari's journey to this prestigious role has been nothing short of remarkable. He showcased his leadership skills earlier when he led South Zone to victory in the Duleep Trophy in July, a testament to his tactical acumen and ability to motivate his teammates.
What makes this captaincy appointment even more intriguing is the fact that Vihari will be surrounded by a talented group of cricketers, some of whom he's had previous success with. Batters like Mayank Agarwal, B Sai Sudharsan, and the fast bowler Vidwath Kaverappa, who were part of the victorious Duleep Trophy squad, will be his allies in this endeavor. KS Bharat is set to take on the role of the first-choice wicketkeeper, with Dhruv Jurel providing valuable backup.
Notable Absences: Abhimanyu Easwaran and Jalaj Saxena
However, the team selection for the Irani Cup has not been without its surprises. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who displayed incredible form during the Ranji season by amassing 798 runs, will be missing from the lineup due to his ongoing recovery from typhoid. Another notable omission is Kerala allrounder Jalaj Saxena, who led the wickets chart with an impressive tally of 50 scalps.
These exclusions have raised eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity, but it also highlights the fierce competition and depth of talent in Indian cricket.
Youth Gets a Chance: Yash Dhull and Rohan Kunnummal
With several India A players committed to international duty at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, the selectors have made some bold choices, granting opportunities to young and promising talents Yash Dhull and Rohan Kunnummal. Despite their relatively modest performances in the Ranji season, they have been included in the squad based on their potential and the belief that they can shine on the big stage.
Dhull managed to accumulate 270 runs in 10 innings during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, while Kunnummal recorded 203 runs in nine innings. Vihari's own form has been a bit inconsistent, with 490 runs in 14 innings for Andhra. Still, his appointment as captain suggests that he remains a strong contender for a place in the national team.
Sarfaraz Khan's Redemption Opportunity
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan, who had a shaky start to the season with scores of 0, 6, 0, and 48 at the Duleep Trophy, has a chance for redemption. He is expected to occupy one of the middle-order slots in the Rest of India lineup.
The batting order in which Sarfaraz is placed could provide insights into how the senior selectors envision his role in the team's future. In the domestic circuit, he has been prolific at No. 5 over the past three seasons. Notably, Sai Sudharsan is set to join the squad following his maiden county stint with Surrey.
Bowling Strengths of Rest of India
When it comes to the bowling department, Rest of India will have a formidable lineup. Navdeep Saini, with his express pace and experience, is set to spearhead the attack. Vidwath Kaverappa from Karnataka, who impressed during the Duleep Trophy and scalped 30 wickets in the Ranji season, is expected to share the new ball.
In the spin department, Uttar Pradesh's Saurabh Kumar and Shams Mulani, the second-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 with 46 scalps, will lead the charge. Delhi's Pulkit Narang has also earned his place in the squad. Adding variety to the pace attack is Yash Dayal, who brings left-arm pace to the table and could serve as the third pacer.
Akash Deep: The Unavailable Spearhead
Bengal's pace spearhead, Akash Deep, is part of the Rest of India squad but won't feature in the Irani Cup match due to his commitment with the Indian squad at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Initially not selected for the games, he received a late call-up as a replacement for the injured Shivam Mavi, showcasing the unpredictability of cricket selections.
Saurashtra: Strong Contenders with Familiar Faces
On the other side of the pitch, Saurashtra boasts a formidable squad with some well-established names. Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat, the captain, are coming into the game after a stint in the English county championship, where they honed their red-ball skills. Sheldon Jackson, at 37, continues to be a stalwart in the middle order alongside Pujara, forming the backbone of the team's batting along with Arpit Vasavada, the previous Ranji season's second-highest run-scorer.
Saurashtra's journey to the Irani Cup is a result of their triumph in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year when they defeated Bengal in Kolkata to clinch their second Ranji Trophy title.
The Squad Lineups
Rest of India:
• Hanuma Vihari (captain)
• K S Bharat
• Mayank Agarwal
• Yash Dhull
• Shams Mulani
• Sai Sudarshan
• Sarfaraz Khan
• Pulkit Narang
• Saurabh Kumar
• Yash Dayal
• Navdeep Saini
• Vidwath Kaverappa
• Akash Deep
• Rohan Kunnummal
• Dhruv Jurel
Saurashtra:
• Jaydev Unadkat (captain)
• Cheteshwar Pujara
• Sheldon Jackson
• Arpit Vasavada
• Harvik Desai
• Dharmendrasinh Jadeja
• Prerak Mankad
• Chirag Jani
• Jay Gohil
• Parth Bhut
• Vishvarajsinh Jadeja
• Samarth Vyas
• Yuvrajsinh Dodiya
• Kushang Patel
• Snell Patel
• Devang Karamta
As the Irani Cup clash between Rest of India and Saurashtra beckons, cricket fans are eagerly anticipating some thrilling performances and exciting cricketing moments. The talent and potential on display in this contest promise to make it a memorable encounter.
