‘Country comes first’: What Sourav Ganguly say to Saurashtra will make you respect him more

According to a report, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly denied Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) the permission for Ravindra Jadeja to play Ranji Trophy final. The final is set to take place on Monday at Rajkot.

‘Country comes first,’ says Sourav Ganguly

Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) made a request to BCCI to allow Ravindra Jadeja to be available for Ranji Trophy final. However, since Jadeja is a part of Indian ODI set-up, and is expected to feature in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly cited “country comes first” policy.

“I spoke to him [Ganguly] and was told that the board can’t allow Jadeja to play Ranji as country comes first,” confirmed Jaydev Shah, the SCA president.

SCA president unhappy with scheduling

“If BCCI wants people to watch their premier domestic cricket then no international game should be held during Ranji final, henceforth. It’s my suggestion. Will BCCI keep an international match during IPL? No, because it gives money. Ranji Trophy can only be popularised if star players play at least in the finals. Don’t keep any international cricket during finals, have a proper window,” Shah further said.

“I would have loved to see him (Jadeja) play the Ranji Trophy final for us, why only Jadeja, I would have loved to see Mohammad Shami (for Bengal) also,” he added.