Saurabh Tiwary raring to go

It’s official. Saurabh Tiwary is back on the hot seat.

The dashing southpaw, who has played for India in ODIs, has been appointed skipper of the 15-member Jharkhand team for the Vijay Hazare One-Day league tournament, popularly known as Ranji Trophy.

Ishank Jaggi will be his deputy.

The tournament will be played in Calcutta from November 6 to 13.

The 25-year-old Tiwary, fresh from a classy century in the Duleep Trophy against West Zone, has replaced Shahbaz Nadeem, who has failed to impress as the captain.

The Telegraph had reported on September 2, 2014, that Tiwary was set to make a comeback as Jharkhand’s Ranji captain, around three years after he was forced to quit the top post mid-way into the 2011-12 season.

He stepped down following a tiff with then mentor Tarit Ghosh during an away match, prompting Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) to hand over the job to Nadeem.

In fine form now, Tiwary is raring to lead the charge in Calcutta.

“I am looking forward to the tournament. I am in good nick and want my bat to do the talking,” the Jamshedpur-based cricketer promised.

The state outfit has two new faces this time — Md Sarfaraz Ashraf and Rituraj Singh — with the selectors stressing on a mix of experience and youth.

Ashraf, a left-arm tweaker from Jamtara, was the highest wicket-taker (10 wickets) for Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20 zonal league held in Calcutta last season. He has been promoted to the one-day format of the game while pacer Rituraj Singh, who hails from Palamau, played for Rajasthan last season.

“We have received a no-objection certificate to include Rituraj in our team from our Rajasthan counterparts,” a JSCA functionary said.Colt skipper Virat Singh and Ishan Kishan have also been drafted into the squad.

Ranchi batsman Kishan had a superb stint in the recently concluded Vinoo Mankad Trophy, scoring 322 runs.

Spearhead Rahul Shukla, who had injured his right ankle in the run-up to the Calcutta tourney, has also found a slot. “I am fit and have started bowling at full throttle,” Shukla said.

“It’s a balanced side with some under-19 players. We are optimistic about a better show in the upcoming tournament,” said JSCA secretary Rajesh Verma.

Apart from Tiwary, Jaggi, Kishan, Virat, Rituraj, Ashraf and Shukla, the team has Kumar Deobrat, Vishal Singh, Shahbaz Nadeem, Jaskaran Singh, Samar Quadri, Vikash Singh, Rameez Nemat and Shiv Prakash Gautam.

Jharkhand will play its opening match versus Tripura on November 10.