KL Rahul, Umesh Yadav unlikely to participate in the Ranji quarterfinals

Karnataka batsman KL Rahul and Vidarbha pacer Umesh Yadav will not take part in their respective quarterfinals that is set to begin on Thursday. Opening batsman Rahul will not be released by the Indian team management for the important game while Yadav has expressed his discomfort at a slight niggle while bowling in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Karnataka and Vidarbha units were eager to have their star players back in the camp since the BCCI announced the quarterfinal schedule, Both the cricketers didn’t feature in the Indian squad for the Delhi Test and therefore the respective boards had made a polite request to release the players. Surat will host Vidarbha and Kerala while Nagpur will see the 41-time champion Mumbai take on Karnataka at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Jamtha.

Yadav has featured in two matches for Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy this season. The pacer has bagged nine wickets at an average of 27.55 with best figures of 3/50 against Chattisgarh. The Indian seasoned campaigner was a part of Vidarbha’s 2015-16 quarterfinals against Saurashtra where he scalped a five-for.

“It’s still not decided. It’s up to the team management to take the call on Umesh,” Team India media manager Anand Subramaniam told TOI on Monday evening.

“If we get his services, it will be a big boost for us. Everyone knows what Umesh is capable of. He was the best Indian pacer last season. Moreover, his experience in such a vital match will be beneficial for us. We have already requested the Indian team management to release Umesh for this match. I hope he plays the quarterfinal,” a source in VCA said.

India will play a two-day warm-up match from December 30 before playing their first Test on January 5. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah received his maiden call-up for  Test series against the Proteas unit.