Nagpur, Dec 24 With senior batsman Faiz Fazal announcing his retirement from T-20 format of domestic cricket, it is learnt that Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) has decided to give more opportunities to the youngsters rather than their seniors in the forthcoming Syed Mushtq Ali T-20 Trophy beginning on January 10 at Indore.
VCA is expected to announce their squad in a couple of days. If the sources are to be believed, VCA has decided to concentrate on youngsters and in such situation some senior players like Aditya Sarwate, Ganesh Satish, Ravi Jangid, Shalabh Shrivastava, Shrikant Wagh who were part of the team last season may be ignored. A source in VCA on the condition of anonymity said, “ More youngsters will be preferred for T-20 Trophy and VCA has enough youngsters in the Under-23 team that triumphed in CK Nayudu Trophy in March 2020 and were runners-up in one-dayers last season”.
The players like Atharva Taide, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Thakur have impressed one and all by their performances in Under-23 format. Secondly the pacers like Bhute, Yash Thakur got an experience of playing with some cricketing great as net bowlers in IPL held at UAE.
VCA’s decision to give opportunity to more youngsters may be prompted by the inclusion of two more teams in 2022. “ Twenty-20 is all about youngsters. If we give them an opportunity today, they may attract the franchise in 2022 IPL”, said the source. However, among the senior only off spinner Akshay Wakhare is set to retain his place as this crop of new players has no offie of his caliber and he is captain of one of the teams that are playing practice matches. Meanwhile while talking to Lokmat Times over his decision of quitting T-20 format Faiz Fazal who led Vidarbha to consecutive Ranji as well as Irani Cup titles in 2017 and 2018 said, “ It is important that youngsters should be given more opportunity in the T-20 format. Therefore I decided to step aside from this format. Yesterday I have already informed the VCA about my decision in writing but then I will continue to play in the longer format and the ODIs when they will happen”. Faiz also said “I don’t see my future in T20 cricket, so it is better that I focus on the longer formats of the game - which are my forte. And by this, I can concentrate on extending my career,” he said.Faiz Fazal has featured in 66 T20 matches in his career having made his debut in the format in 2007. He has amassed 1273 runs at an average of 20.86 and a strike-rate of 106.17 with four half-centuries.