Palam, Rajkot to host Ranji semifinals

The Palam ground in New Delhi and Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Kandheri, Rajkot, will host the Ranji Trophy semifinals scheduled from January 16 to 20.

Services made it to the last four on Tuesday with a five-wicket win over Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai, Saurashtra and Punjab have all but qualified by taking the first innings lead against their respective opponents on Wednesday.

According to a top BCCI official, Services will host Mumbai at  the Palam ground, while the Punjab-Saurashtra tie will be held in Rajkot. It will be interesting to see if Sachin Tendulkar would be available for Mumbai for the semifinals. As one Mumbai Cricket Association office bearer said, it remains to be seen if Tendulkar would play due to security issues and the facilities available.
When asked if there was any security concern at Palam, a BCCI official said, “It is an Air Force area and there will be no security concerns. Last Sunday, England played a warm-up game against India ‘A’ there.”

Niranjan Shah, BCCI vice-president and secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association, was proud of his team entering the last-four stage. “Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja will be on national duty (for ODIs against England), so what can we do? But I am proud of my side that has come this far. Let’s see how the team performs against Punjab,” Shah said.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai selectors — headed by Sandeep Patil — will meet on Thursday to select the squad for the semis.