SS Das likely to play in Bapuna Cup

NAGPUR: Former Indian opener Shiv Sunder Das - one of the three professionals to play for Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy this season - is likely to play in the second round of the ongoing Bapuna Cup Ranji selection trials.
Das, 33, may play for Shreekant Wagh-led Dinshaw's XI which will take on Chhatisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) at Vidarbha Cricket Association's Civil Lines stadium on Monday.The former Orissa player hasn't been at his best for a while. Das, who was omitted from the Orissa squad after a forgettable last season, has crossed the 50-run mark only once in the last 16 innings.
However, the VCA officials have shown a lot of faith in his abilities. "He may have been going through a rough patch but we must remember that he is a quality player who has made tons of runs in the domestic cricket. Even his international record is not bad either. He will surely strike form soon. We have heard he is in good shape and playing this tournament will give him and our boys to gel together," a VCA official told TOI.
It would be good opportunity for Das to have some match practice ahead of the season. He hasn't played competitive cricket for a while. The remaining two matches and then conditioning camp will help him. The Orissa opener has over ten thousand runs to his credit in 166 first class matches. He also has a reputation of playing big knocks. He also has a triple hundred to his credit.
The other two professionals - Sairaj Bahutule and Hemang Badani, are also likely to join the team soon. It's still not clear whether they will play in Central Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy or not.