Kohli, Dhoni may play the series
Bangladesh A-team’s planned tour to India suddenly came under the spotlight after a section of Indian media reported that some senior Indian cricketers, including Test captain Virat Kohli and one-day captain MS Dhoni, might be featuring in the series.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play three one-day matches and a three-day game against India ‘A’ apart from playing a three-day game against Ranji champions Karnataka during the tour that starts on September 16.
Most of the matches of the series will be held in Bangalore, where India’s senior team will also hold a short fitness and conditioning camp ahead of their home series against South Africa.
Indian media suggested senior players Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu and even Kohli might find it useful to prepare themselves for the shorter format.
India’s ODI captain MS Dhoni has also been out of match-practice for a long time and might just find it ideal to get a hit in match situation, according to reports.
Chief selector Faruk Ahmad said that they are aware of the possible inclusion of India’s senior players in the series and thus decided to send a strong Bangladesh ‘A’ team.
‘This tour is very important, because their ‘A’ team is quite close to their national team,’ Faruk told reporters on Sunday. ‘So we want to make a strong ‘A’ team.
‘I think even there national players will play in the India ‘A’ team. So we have tried to make a very strong team.
‘We have an important series against Australia, so we are observing if some of them can get exposure,’ said Faruk.
‘In this team, Soumya [Sarkar], Sabbir [Rahman], Nasir[Hossain] will feature as they didn’t get much of an opportunity, so they will require some game-time.
Rony Talukdar didn’t
get much game-time either, nor did BIjoy [Anamul Haque] , who is trying to comeback. Let’s see where we stand.’
It was learnt that the selectors have their team already drafted, though there is every chance that they might have alter their plan.
BCB sources said national coach Chandika Hathurusinghe is expected to give his input before the board formally announces the team.
Hathurusinge was expected to arrive on Sunday.
-With New Age input
