Irfan, Munaf get Ranji recall

VADODARA: Rattled over the recent defeat against Madhya Pradesh on their home ground, Baroda Ranji selectors have decided to bring back pacers Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel to the team. The duo has been selected for Baroda's next game against Gujarat that will be played at Valsad from Saturday.
Baroda has lost two games, drawn two and won one off the five matches it played this Ranji season.With just nine points, the team is languishing on seventh position in the Group B. Baroda needs a victory to ensure that it remains in the tournament. "Irfan and Munaf are experienced players and they may be able to revive the team's fortunes. So we decided to pick them up for our next game against Gujarat. We need to win the game," said a BCA official.
Irfan and Munaf were ignored for the last three games despite being available as the BCA selectors were not impressed with their performance in a practice game kept for testing their fitness.
The selectors had felt that they both were not match fit and won't be able to perform to their best. The selectors, who were keen to give a break to performing youngsters, dropped Atit Sheth and Rishi Arothe from the team. Both Sheth and Arothe made their Ranji debut against MP.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was away for playing in Board President's XI, is back in the team while Bhargav Patel has been eased out. Ambati Rayudu will continue as captain of the team and Deepak Hooda will be his deputy.