Left-arm quick Ravi Kumar, one of the architects of India’s recent U-19 World Cup triumph, has been included in the Bengal Ranji Trophy squad along with Abhishek Porel, who too was among the Indian colts during the competition in the Caribbean. Pace bowling all-rounder Raj Bawa and left-handed batsman Harnoor Singh were also included in the Chandigarh senior squad.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana and all-rounder Nishant Sindhu are likely to be included in the Haryana squad.

The U-19 Cup winners returned to India on Tuesday and will be attending a felicitation ceremony by the BCCI, which is likely to take place in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

The kind of performance that Ravi and Bawa had put in during this World Cup, their selection in their respective state teams for India’s premier domestic tournament was expected. Porel, too, deserved a senior squad call-up, especially after his brilliant show with the bat for Bengal U-19 in the Cooch Behar Trophy, which may resume next month after being postponed earlier due to multiple Covid-19 cases in the participating teams.

Whether Ravi makes his Ranji Trophy debut remains to be seen, but it won’t be surprising at all if Porel, who bats left-handed, is straightaway included in the final XI when Bengal begin their campaign.

‘Guidelines’ issued

The BCCI, on Tuesday, issued “staging guidelines” for the nine hosting associations where the Ranji Trophy will be played this season.

The opening round matches will begin from February 17 following a five-day quarantine and the squad size has been capped at 30 (20 players and 10 support staff).

“20 players will be eligible for match fees (playing XI will be eligible for 100 per cent fees while the remaining 9 will be entitled for 50 per cent),” the guidelines stated, adding that two Covid reserves will be allowed per team.

Also, each team “is encouraged to have a physician to deal with Covid-19 related

issues”.