India U19 pace sensation Ravi Kumar is likely to be included in the Bengal squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2022. Apart from Ravi, another junior star, Abhishek Porel, a left-handed batter, and wicketkeeper, might also be added to the Bengal squad.
Both Ravi and Abhishek are currently in the West Indies with the Indian U19 team for the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup 2022, where the young boys will face England in the final on February 5.
It is also being said that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha will be available for Bengal for at least one or two games in the Ranji Trophy before he joins the Indian cricket team's bio-bubble in Mohali for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled tentatively on March 4.
Notably, Bengal has been placed alongside Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Baroda in Elite Group B and the team will leave reportedly for Cuttack on February 10 along with Ravi and Abhishek.
Bengal U-19 head coach Devang Gandhi told PTI: “Nothing gives any coach more satisfaction than seeing their wards make it to the elite level. That's what as coaches we aspire for -- to guide the talented boys in the right direction. No one would be happier than me if both Ravi and Abhishek Porel, (who is also in the West Indies as stand-by) make it to Ranji squad.”
Meanwhile, the BCCI is yet to announce the dates of the U19 Cooch Behar Trophy quarter-finals, and Gandhi said he would love to have both Ravi and Abhishek in the junior team.
Devang further mentioned, “I would love to have them quarter-finals as and when they are held. But for their own growth and betterment, they should quickly progress to the next level. For Ravi, I can say, that he is a very hard-working boy and in years, you will see him add a few yards of pace with his natural ability to swing it back in.”
A source close to Bengal team management revealed that both Ravi and Porel will make it to Bengal’s senior squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2022.
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The source revealed, “Yes, there is a bright possibility that Ravi after his performances in the U-19 World Cup will be included in the Bengal senior team. We need to groom them and catch them young. With BCCI not scheduling any U-25 tourney (Bengal A) as of now, Ravi needs to be nurtured with care.”
He added, “Obviously, it's a selector's call but both head coach Arun Lal and coach Saurasish Lahiri are keeping a close watch on Ravi. Even if he doesn't make it to the first XI in presence of Akash Deep, Ishan Porel, and Mukesh Kumar, who knows there could be a chance just round the corner.”
The source concluded, “Abhishek would have made his debut had the Sri Lanka Tests not been pushed back to March. But now, we are expecting Wriddhi to be available for the first game and maybe also the second game.”
(With PTI Inputs)
