This story is from December 5, 2014

Yusuf removed as Ranji skipper

Yusuf Pathan, who last played for Indian team in 2012, has now lost his Ranji captaincy too.
Yusuf removed as Ranji skipper
VADODARA: Yusuf Pathan, who last played for Indian team in 2012, has now lost his Ranji captaincy too. Yusuf has been removed as the skipper of Baroda Ranji team for the upcoming season.
The selectors took a call to replace Yusuf with a young Aditya Waghmode as the all-rounder’s performance as a skipper wasn’t impressive.His captaincy was already under the scanner ahead of Vijay Hazare One Day Trophy this season.
The selectors, though, gave him a chance to prove his mettle in the trophy. But Baroda couldn’t make it to even quarter-finals.
A BCA official said it was time that Baroda looked forward and groomed young players. “We have talented young players in the team who need to be prepared for shouldering responsibility. Yusuf hasn’t been impressive as a skipper and he also needs to focus on his game. The players have to know that they need to perform to be in the team. So the selectors decided to replace Yusuf with Waghmode.”
Baroda won two matches and lost two under Yusuf, 32, in Vijay Hazare Trophy held last month, but the team ended at third position in west zone. “The selectors were looking at future prospects of Baroda Ranji team as well as Yusuf. He was made one-day skipper as he has prospects of getting into the one-day international team through his performance. But there are little chances of Yusuf being considered for test team. So for four-day Ranji game, the selectors thought of grooming young players,” BCA secretary, Anshuman Gaekwad told TOI on Thursday.
“It was necessary to appoint Wadhmode as skipper when Yusuf is in team. As a senior player, Yusuf can guide Waghmode and prepare him for heading the team. Under Waghmode, Baroda became T20 champions in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this year and we did well during Sri Lanka tour too,” Gaekwad said.
Irfan Pathan, who is recovering from an injury, hasn’t been picked up for the first Ranji match against Bengal that starts from Sunday. But senior cricketers like Ambati Rayudu, Munaf Patel and Bhargav Bhatt will be a part of the squad.
BOX: ‘Surprised at Yusuf’s exclusion from WC team’
Former India cricketer and BCA secretary, Anshuman Gaekwad said he was surprised at Yusuf Pathan’s exclusion from the 30 probables for the World Cup 2015. “Yusuf did fairly well in Ranji one-day games and he was also made skipper of west zone for Deodhar Trophy. I am surprised why the national selectors didn’t include him in the 30 probables,” Gaekwad said.
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About the Author
Tushar Tere

Tushar Tere is an assistant editor. He writes on a range of subjects including crime, politics, sports, court, art, culture and heritage.

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