Karn Sharma lone Vidarbha player named for Duleep Trophy

NAGPUR: Leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who will be playing as a professional for Vidarbha in the forthcoming Ranji Trophy season, has been included

India Red

squad for Duleep Trophy.

Sharma is the lone player from Vidarbha to be included for the four-day prestigious tournament, which wasn't originally included in the India domestic calendar due to busy schedule. However, former captain Sourav Ganguly intervened and the BCCI decided to conduct the tournament from September 7 to 29.

On Wednesday, BCCI announced India Red, India Green and India Blue squads. Off spinner Akshay Wakhare, who played the last edition, didn't find any favour from the selectors. "His name was discussed. He was part of one of the squads in the last edition. However, the selectors chose to go with last year's performers. He didn't live up the expectations last season," a BCCI source told TOI on Wednesday.

With his inclusion in the India Red squad, Sharma all set to miss the forthcoming Bapuna Cup. He was supposed to play the tournament. This year, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai will participate in the tournament. "Sharma was supposed to play Bapuna Cup. Coach Chandrakant Pandit wants all the current as well as fringe players to play Bapuna Cup. It will also give him an idea about the match temperament of our local players," a source at Vidarbha Cricket Association, said.

Vidarbha skipper Faiz Fazal, who is playing club cricket in England, is also likely to play Bapuna Cup, Vidarbha Cricket Association's Ranji selection tournament. It would have been a good opportunity for Sharma, a former Railways allrounder, to gel with the team. "Playing Bapuna Cup could have helped him to know about our players. However, it's not a big problem. He has played with and against most of our players from the junior days. It's good that he got selected in Duleep Trophy. It's a prestigious and competitive tournament. It will be good for Sharma to have quality match practice. If he performs well there, his confidence will be boosted ahead of Ranji season," he said.

Sharma had also also played the last edition of Duleep Trophy and was part of the winning India Red squad. He had bagged 10 wickets in three matches. The 29-year-old is currently attending all India spinners' camp at National Cricket Academy. Wakhare and allrounder Akshay Karnewar also recently attended the camp under the guidance of former India leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani. While Sharma and Wakhare also attended the camp last year, it was the first time Karnewar was included. Sharma and Wakhare have benefitted a lot under Hirwani, who has been mentor many current India and First Class cricketers.