Jadhav Ranji captain, Tripathi not in probables

Pune: Kedar Jadhav has been named captain of the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy team for the 2023-24 season. IPL player Rahul Tripathi can’t find his name in a list of 32 probables. However, the 32-year-old will be a part of Maharashtra’s white-ball probables. The press release sent by Maharashtra Cricket Association states, “Pursuant to the directions of Hon’ble president of MCA Rohit Pawar and the leadership of Cricket Advisory Committee Chairman Sacheen Mulay, the senior men’s selection committee has finalized a talented group of players.” The statement and actions underline the influence of bigger names in the policy matters.Kedar, 38, had scored 555 runs in six Ranji innings last season under the captaincy of Ankeet Bawne. Maharashtra had failed to reach the knockout stage for the umpteenth time. Tripathi scored only 140 runs in six innings last Ranji season including a 61 in the last first-class innings. He is a part of India’s T20 team for the Asian Games.CSK star and India player Ruturaj Gaikwad is among the probables but he is not named captain, presumably because he won’t be available for the full season being a part of international set-up. Kedar has left a Ranji game midway last season citing personal reasons before attending a meeting of Rohit Pawar. He is not known to field full time during a match. He captained Kolhapur team in the revived MPL and once came as in impact player. Bawne and Naushad Shaikh were a part of his team.Maharasthra’s Ranji Trophy selectors, according to MCA’s earlier press release, are Sangram Atitkar (chairman), Kiran Adhav, Shrikant Kate, Salil Agharkar and Rohit Jadhav. They are largely seen as rookies in the new role. MCA claims they will conduct a two-month long camp for the probables. tnn