Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Punjab appoints Mandeep Singh captain for the season

Mandeep Singh will lead Punjab in their opening game of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 against Andhra Pradesh, starting in Vishakhapatnam on November 1. Gurkeerat Singh Mann will be Mandeep’s deputy, Punjab Cricket Association spokesperson Sushil Kumar confirmed. The Punjab squad left for the venue on Monday and to get abundant preparation ahead of the season opener. Mandeep led Punjab in the just-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy though the side failed to qualify for the knock-out stage.

Punjab are yet to win the prestigious domestic title, in fact, failed to cross the group stage last season as they fell short of the nearest side to qualify – Bengal – by five points. The PCA officials are confident that the side will be able to produce something good this time. The squad, according to them, has a blend of youth and experience.

“Punjab Ranji team is a blend of youth and experience. Shubman Gill, Anmolpreet Singh, Sanvir Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Markande are the youngsters in the team. The experience will be on the shoulders of Mandeep Singh, Gurkeerat Mann, Siddharth Kaul and Barinder Sran,” a statement by Kapoor said.

Punjab will return home after playing the game in Vizag and will leave for Indore for their second game – against Madhya Pradesh – starting November 20. Besides Andhra Pradesh and MP, Punjab have Bengal, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in their group (B).

Mandeep had an ordinary VHT

Mandeep, a batting all-rounder, was chosen as the new face to take up reins as the captain this year, while veterans like Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh were overlooked. The 26-year-old, who has played three T20Is and has a fifty, did not have a special outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy though. In seven matches, Mandeep scored 213 runs and took six wickets. He scored only one half century in the tournament – a 60 against Goa. The match against Baroda in Alur was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Punjab squad for Ranji Trophy 2018-19:

Mandeep Singh (C), Gurkeerat Singh Mann (vc), Abhishek Gupta (wk), Shubman Gill, Baltej Singh, Jeewanjot Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Sanvir Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, Arpit Pannu, Sharad Loomba, Vinay Choudhary, Shubek Gill and Barinder Sran.

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