Ranji Trophy - sportstiger

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As reported, the BCCI has decided to delay the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy by two days. According to an internal communication circulated by the BCCI, the two semifinals are now scheduled for 14 June instead of 12 June. Similarly, the quarterfinals will start on 6 June while the title clash of the tournament is set to start on 22 June. 

According to one of the media bodies, the first quarterfinal will be played between Bengal and Jharkhand at the Just Cricket Academy and will only be live-streamed digitally. Whereas the game between Mumbai and Uttarakhand is scheduled at Ground 2 in Alur without any live coverage. 

Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh will go head to head in the third quarter-final and the game will have a live broadcast. Whereas the fourth quarter-final between Punjab vs Madhya Pradesh will be played without any live coverage. Similarly, the first semifinal will receive live coverage, while the second semi-final will be live-streamed. 

Reports also say that the teams are required to reach Bengaluru on 3 June. Then the teams will start their training on June 4 and 5, before the quarterfinals. Each squad are set to have 20 players and 10 support staff. The teams are also allowed to have two COVID reserves.

This schedule also alludes that the teams will not have to undergo mandatory quarantine, but will have to test negative RT-PCR. 

“I feel that I am versatile and I can play all three formats,” Mulani

In this year’s tournament, Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Shams Mulani has run through opposition bowling while picking up a lot of wickets. He has been the highest wicket-taker with a total of 29 wickets from three games. 

After one of his best performances against Goa, Mulani talked about how he has silenced his critics who questioned his abilities with the red ball. While speaking to Sportstar, he said, “I think it should because I never felt I was only a white-ball bowler. I feel that I am versatile and I can play all three formats pretty well as a bowler. That’s what I am trying to do,”

“I can say it’s a sense of maturity. Being around for a while, I have started reading the conditions better. The key to pick wickets is to assess the conditions, the batters and change your plan accordingly. I am glad it’s coming off,” he said.