A bunch of domestic performers such as Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw along with a battle-hardened internationals like Ravichandran Ashwin will be eager to add some context to Irani Cup when Rest of India clashes with Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha, here from tomorrow. With just three weeks left for the cash-rich Indian Premier League to start, the Irani Cup sticks out like sore thumb as India A’s next big tour starts not before July. However, youngsters like Shaw, Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran won’t mind a big hundred in front of national selectors as it would ensure a ticket for the A team’s tour of England -- a series happening after 2010. For Vidarbha, it will be an arduous task to keep up the momentum even though Umesh Yadav is back in their ranks to lead the attack with Rajneesh Gurbani. With Ashwin around and Shahbaz Nadeem bowling left-arm spin, Jayant Yadav may not get a look-in in the playing XI.

Source: Hindustan Times March 13, 2018 18:11 UTC