‘Absurd’ to allow Mohammad Shami bowl only 15 overs per innings: Dilip Vengsarkar

Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar finds it “absurd” that fast bowler Mohammad Shami’s participation in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy against Kerala was restricted to just 15 overs per innings, with a ‘grace’ of two-three overs.

“Suppose I’m the captain, and he’s taken two wickets in his second spell, I would want to continue him to get rid of the main batsmen. I won’t say, he’s bowled 15 overs, so he can’t bowl anymore. I mean, this is absurd. I haven’t heard this before,” said the former chief selector, as quoted by The Times Of India.

The veteran former cricketer felt that there could be no better preparation than playing a match before a crucial tour like Australia.

“Bowling and batting in a match is more important than doing the same in the nets because you get the confidence and the and the rhythm only in those 22 yards. You don’t get that in the nets. If you perform well and have runs/wickets behind you, that gives you confidence. That confidence doesn’t come by bowling 10 overs in the nets,” he added.

Reports from The Times Of India had stated that the Indian cricket board has asked veterans Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin to sit out of the next round of Ranji Trophy fixtures which would keep them fresh and ready for the Tests against Australia.

Also read: Mohammad Shami given partial allowance by BCCI to play for Bengal

This along with the fact that several top India A players who are currently in New Zealand for the series, have left the Ranji Trophy devoid of many stars. This has irked Vengsarkar, who also criticised the BCCI’s approach towards the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy–two of the most important competitions in the domestic calendar of Indian cricket.

“Thanks to this ill-timed India A tour of New Zealand, the Ranji Trophy has already lost its sheen. Already, our best domestic tournament the Duleep Trophy-has been reduced to a mockery,” he said.

Further rued Vengsarkar, “The players play for India Green, Red and Blue, instead of playing for their zones. Now, the players also don’t know which team they belong to.”

“In the previous zonal system, the senior players could guide the youngsters during the tournament. They played a very important role there. Now, you only have promising youngsters in all the three teams, which holds no meaning,” he commented further.

Image credit (Mohammad Shami)- India TV

Image credit (Dilip Vengsarkar)- NDTV Sports