Irfan Pathan to lead Baroda in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2016

In a surprise move, the Baroda Cricket Association has announced all-rounder Irfan Pathan as the captain of the team for the domestic T20 tournament the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that starts from January 2. It is interesting as the BCA had not considered Irfan for selection in the initial few matches of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 season though he was included in the squad from the 5^th match and did considerably well for them.

The selectors had cited fitness as well as form as a reason for his exclusion. But since he looks fit now and is bowling with a good rhythm they opted to bet on him for the T20 tournament. A BCA official was quoted by the TOI saying, “Irfan is fit now. Also he is one of the best players of the T20 format, so he has been picked up and made Baroda team’s skipper. Deepak Hooda will be the vice-captain of the Baroda team.”

BCA in charge secretary Snehal Patel said, “We have selected the team for the first two games. It has the right combination of experienced and young players.”

The team also includes senior players like Munaf Patel, Yusuf Pathan along with youngsters- Kedar Devdhar, Abhijit Karambelkar, Pinal Shah, and Hardik Pandya among others. BCA has also appointed former Indian player Jacob Martin as the coach of the team after regular coach Tushar Arothe had to quit since his son Rishi Arothe was included in the squad and the BCCIs new conflict of interest policy doesn’t allow such coincidences.

Baroda’s fixtures:

02 Jan 2016- Baroda v Assam, Reliance Stadium, Vadodara

03 Jan 2016- Baroda v Railways, Moti Bagh Stadium, Vadodara

06 Jan 2016- Baroda v Goa, Reliance Stadium, Vadodara

07 Jan 2016- Baroda v Madhya Pradesh, Reliance Stadium, Vadodara

09 Jan 2016- Baroda v Andhra, Moti Bagh Stadium, Vadodara

10 Jan 2016- Baroda v Delhi, Reliance Stadium, Vadodara

Baroda squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2016:

Irfan Pathan (C), Rishi Arothe, Kedar Devdhar, Abhijit Karambelkar, Hardik Pandya, Yusuf Pathan, Atit Sheth, Deepak Hooda (vc), Bhargav Bhatt, Mrunal Devdhar, Dhiren Mistry, Munaf Patel, Pinal Shah, Swapnil Singh, Soaeb Tai