U19 Sensation Ravi Kumar Set To Be Part Of Bengal Ranji Squad, Wriddhiman Saha Likely To Play First Two Games

Bengal's team management is very keen on fast-tracking U-19 India pacer Ravi Kumar in the upcoming Ranji Trophy where the team starts its campaign from February 16 in Cuttack. It is understood that veteran keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha will be available for at least opening game if not the first two of the Ranji Trophy before he joins the India team's bio-bubble in Mohali for the first Test, scheduled tentatively on March 4. Bengal has been clubbed alongside Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Baroda in Elite Group B and the team will leave for Cuttack on February 10 along with two U-19 World Cuppers -- Ravi and left-handed batter-keeper Abhishek Porel.

In fact former India opener and current Bengal U-19 head coach Devang Gandhi welcomed the idea if the senior state selectors and team management decide upon including Ravi in the senior squad.

"Nothing gives any coach more satisfaction than seeing their wards make it to the elite level. That's what as coaches we aspire for -- to guide the talented boys in rght direction.

"No one would be more happier than me if both Ravi and Abhishek Porel, (who is also in the West Indies as stand-by) make it to Ranji squad," Devang told PTI, having already guided the junior team to Cooch Behar Trophy quarter-finals.

While the BCCI is yet to announce the dates of the U-19 national quarters, Gandhi is of the opinion that as much he would love to have them in junior team, the aim is to see them gear up for the tougher challenges ahead.

"I would love to have them quarter-finals as and when they are held. But for their own growth and betterment, they should quickly progress to the next level. "For Ravi I can say, that he is a very hard working boy and in years, you will see him add a few yards of pace