Probables protest their exclusion from Ranji team

Vadodara: About 13 probables of Baroda Ranji team went to the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) office on Friday to protest against their exclusion from the Ranji team. The cricketers were upset as they were selected in the playing 11 despite performing well in the local matches. BCA (in-charge) secretary, Snehal Parikh held talks with them and assured that they will get good opportunities.
“We have been playing in local matches and performing well too. Haven’t the selectors picked us in the probables due to our performance? Then why aren’t we being given the chance in the playing 11?” questioned one of the probables. They said that the selectors are picking up Under-23 players directly into the Ranji Trophy team while keeping the probables out.
“The probables practice regularly ahead of the Ranji season and give their best. But no reason is given to us for keeping us out of the team. May be because we don’t have godfathers to ensure that we get berth in the Ranji team. Some players do manage to get break in the Ranji squad due to influence,” alleged another probable.
When contacted, Parikh told TOI, “The probables including Abhijeet Karambelkar, Ketan Panchal, Monil Patel, Jaydev Patel, Pratyush Chatterjee, Jaykishan Kolsawala, Ajitesh Argal and others came to meet us. They wanted to know why they were not included in the team. I heard them as their issues were genuine and I told them that they will get good opportunities.”