Chandigarh, Nov 2: Harbhajan Singh has been named captain of the Punjab side that will compete in the Ranji Trophy’s 78th season. Punjab play their opening game of the season against Uttar Pradesh at Mohali starting November 3.
The ‘Turbanator’, who has claimed over 400 Test wickets, was appointed captain by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Senior Selection Committee at a meeting convened by MP Pandove under the chairmanship of Chaman Lal Malhotra. The selectors met at the Mohali stadium on Monday to pick the squad for the first two matches of the season.
PCA secretary MP Pandove was quoted as saying that the off-spinner would be available to play for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy whenever he is not involved in any international assignment.
In other news from the team, Vikram Rathore, cricket manager of the Punjab Ranji team, informed the committee members about a knee injury sustained by medium pacer Luv Ablish during a practice session on Sunday, which is likely to keep him out of action for approximately two weeks. Pacer Sandeep Sharma from the India Under-19 team has been brought in as a replacement for the injured Ablish.
Punjab will take on Orissa in their second match of the tournament at Mohali on November 10.
Team: Harbhajan Singh (c), Sarul Kanwar, Ravi Inder Singh, Karan Goel, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Sidana, Bipul Sharma, Gitansh Khera (wk), Manpreet Singh Gony, Sandeep Sharma, Navdeep Singh Barinder Singh, Amitoz Singh, Vishwas Bhalla and Rajwinder Singh Golu
