Chance for Board President’s XI to test themselves against Sri Lanka | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Chance for Board President’s XI to test themselves against Sri Lanka

Hindustan Times, Kolkata | ByHT Correspondent
Nov 10, 2017 10:14 PM IST

The two-day fixture against Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for each of us, says Board President’s XI captain Sanju Samson.

The wisdom of playing a two-day tie to ready for a Test match may be questionable but that is all Sri Lanka have by way of preparing for next week’s contest at Eden Gardens.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal during a training session at Jadavpur University Salt Lake campus in Kolkata on Friday.(PTI)
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal during a training session at Jadavpur University Salt Lake campus in Kolkata on Friday.(PTI)

Making this not much of a dress rehearsal to face Virat Kohli’s team is also the fact that the match against a Board President’s XI will be played at the Jadavpur University’s Salt Lake campus at the weekend.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

READ | India vs Sri Lanka: Confident of beating SL – Board President’s XI’s Sanju Samson

So, while Sri Lanka will get a chance to see how well Angelo Mathews’ calf has healed, for players of the home team this will be an opportunity to test themselves against the left-arm wiles of Rangana Herath and more.

“It is a practice match for him but a great opportunity for us to face him. He (Herath) is one of the greatest spinners of Sri Lanka,” said Sanju Samson, who will lead Board President’s XI here on Friday.

“Each and every individual in the team has worked hard for past many years to perform at this level. It’s just one match but a great opportunity for each of us. We should look this as a great platform to perform and give everyone a chance and succeed.”

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deciding that the Ranji Trophy is more important than this match, only players from states not playing in the round that began on Thursday were made available for Board President’s XI.

READ | Hardik Pandya rested from three-Test India vs Sri Lanka cricket series

They will be led by Samson who will need all his experience gained from being Kerala skipper for a season. “I am ready for the challenge and lucky to get a good opportunity in the gap (between Ranji games),” said Samson, who turns 23 on Saturday.

Samson, who replaced the injured Naman Ojha as captain, said they may not have had much time to plan but would be looking forward to beating the Sri Lankans.

For that to happen, Punjab’s young batsman Anmolpreet Singh will need to reproduce the kind of form that helped him score 267 in the Ranji Trophy against Chattisgarh. Ditto Amanpreet’s teammate Jiwanjot Singh and Abhishek Gupta.

READ | Here’s how ICC had fun with the increased character limit on Twitter

Coached by Narendra Hirwani, the home team also has Jalaj Saxena, who has put in all-round performances against Rajasthan and Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy this term.

Sri Lanka’s bid to notch their first Test win in India starts on Saturday but perhaps just as important, this is also a chance for some Indians to get noticed.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RCB vs KKR Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On