Ravindra Jadeja denied permission to play Ranji final: Details here
What's the story
Indian cricket team all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was denied permission to play in the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 final for Saurashtra. According to reports in The Indian Express, the request was made by Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) to BCCI, but the same was turned down by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. Dada cited "country first" policy in this matter. Here's more.
ODIs
ODI series reason behind Jadeja's Ranji snub
Jadeja is expected to be part of the ODI squad to face South Africa. The three-match series starts from March 12 onwards. Meanwhile, the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 final is set to start from March 9 onwards. Therefore, Jadeja was denied permission to play in the premier domestic competition. Besides Jadeja, senior pacer Mohammed Shami will miss the finale as well.
Quote
SCA president on Ganguly denying Jadeja to play Ranji
"I spoke to him [Ganguly] and was told that the board can't allow Jadeja to play Ranji as country comes first," Jaydev Shah, the SCA president was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Suggestion
No international game should be held during Ranji final: Shah
"If BCCI wants people to watch their premier domestic cricket then no international game should be held during Ranji final, henceforth. It's my suggestion. Will BCCI keep an international match during IPL? No, because it gives money," said Shah. He added the Ranji Trophy can only be popularized if star players play at least in the finals. Don't keep any international cricket during finals."
Ranji final
Saurashtra and Bengal to meet in Ranji finale
Saurashtra entered their second successive Ranji Trophy final with a 92-run win over Gujarat on day five of their semi-final, on Wednesday. Saurashtra pacer Jaydev Unadkar led from the front with a seven-wicket haul. Meanwhile, Bengal defeated Karnataka by 174 runs in the semi-final on Tuesday to enter the finals of the Ranji Trophy for the first time in 13 years.