Ranji Trophy: No clarity on Bumrah as Gujarat plays Kerala
The HinduOn a warm, humid Tuesday morning here at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Piyush Chawla sported a big smile as he joined his mates at the nets. Kerala, however, has happy memories from its last game against Gujarat; it had posted a crushing 113-run victory in a low-scoring quarterfinal at Krishnagiri, at the beginning of the year. To do an encore, the visitors need plenty of runs from the likes of Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa and captain Sachin Baby, on what promises to be a sporting track, and a steady effort from its bowling led by off-spinner Jalaj Saxena and swing bowler Sandeep Warrier. The Bumrah question Gujarat’s seamers, Roosh Kalaria, Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla had fashioned the win against Hyderabad, taking 14 wickets between them. But the biggest talking point here has been whether Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah — back in the National team after recovering from back injury — will play here to prove his match fitness.