The selectors are undecided on who would lead Bengal ahead of their Ranji Trophy squad selection.
The squad for the first two games is set to be finalised on Friday, as Bengal begin their Ranji campaign against Andhra in Visakhapatnam when the competition begins on January 5.
But who will be leading the team then? According to sources, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) wants Manoj Tiwary to continue as captain at least for the first two matches (against Andhra and Uttar Pradesh). But the Bengal team management prefers Sudip Gharami, 24, who had led the side in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Tiwary, who had announced his retirement on August 3 only to reconsider the decision in less than a week to play one more Ranji season, is the CAB’s choice as it wants to honour the 38-year-old’s contribution to Bengal cricket.
“One may come across a situation where Tiwary gets to lead in the first couple of games while Gharami takes over in the matches thereafter. But even that
could change during Friday’s meeting.
“Tiwary’s experience is something you just cannot discount. In a tournament
like the Ranji Trophy, you need a captain who has gone through the paces,” said a CAB insider.
Under Tiwary’s leadership, Bengal had finished runners-up in last season’s Ranji.
Shahbaz injury
Tougher times await Bengal in this Ranji season as spinner all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has sustained a knee injury. It was learnt that Shahbaz, currently working on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, may miss the first four games.
