Rajasthan set to return to Ranji Trophy 2017-18

Finally some good news for Rajasthan cricket and their fans, as a single bench of Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday announced that cricketers can participate in the Indian domestic tournament. The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) had previously re-elected Lalit Modi as the chairman of the association which resulted in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banning the state body.

They are now in line with the BCCI’s directives, as Modi was sacked from his position, a new committee was elected and that came as a positive wind of change. This will come as a great relief for the cricketers from the state, who will now be raring to take the field and participate in the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 season. 

Justice Manish Bhandari announced his decision after the two warring factions of Rajasthan Cricket Association failed to reach a compromise by Tuesday. As reported by TOI on Tuesday, Team Rajasthan, which has been handling the state’s cricketing fortunes in the BCCI-conducted tournaments for the past two years, will take the baton once again.

Conducting trials and tournaments

Team Rajasthan convenor KVP Rao is in the city, ready to take control immediately. They are set to play their first match vs Jammu & Kashmir at home from October 6, Rao and his team will have to start preparations on an immediate basis, as they don’t have much time in hand. The first task would be to conduct tournaments and trials to select the teams.

The RCA officials have failed to conduct any cricket activities so far, one of the reason’s being lack of funds. With Team Rajasthan back in place, the BCCI will have to release funds immediately at least for the initial activities such as trails and conducting tournaments across the districts.

Former Rajasthan Ranji Trophy skipper Vinod Mathur, Sanjay Vyas and Nazmul Hussain will be the selectors for the senior side. Sukhvinder Singh, Pramod Yadav and Kuldeep Singh will take charge of the junior selection committee.