Gurnoor Brar (L) & Auqib Nabi (Source: AFP Photos)
After India failed to win two out of two Tests in Sri Lanka, the BCCI took little time to plan for the future. And Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi are reportedly the most prominent names found out by the board to turn the tide.
The next assignment in whites for the BCCI would be the India tour of New Zealand. There, India will play five T20s, five ODIs and two Tests, all to happen between October 22 and December 1.
Gurnoor Brar Told To Play Duleep Trophy
As reported by PTI, the BCCI has already told Gurnoor Brar to play for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals. He was with India’s Test squad in Sri Lanka, but did not get a chance to perform. Instead, India kept Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as their frontline pacers.
Brar will now be playing for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy, against South Zone at the Centre of Excellence. The match will get underway on November 30.
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"It was a decision taken by the Indian team think-tank (team management and selection committee) that Gurnoor will be playing the Duleep Trophy. Already Arshdeep (Singh) and Anshul (Kamboj) are in playing eleven and Gurnoor will replace Sunil Kumar. So, BCCI is looking for at least two to three red-ball games for Auqib in England, which will be handy," a BCCI source told PTI.
BCCI Pushes County Deal For Auqib Nabi
For Auqib Nabi, the BCCI are looking for English counties such as Surrey and Hampshire that can give him a short-term County Championship deal in these final days of the competition.
Surrey, at present, is reportedly the frontrunner to sign Nabi for the remainder of the County Championship.
Former England captain Alec Stewart, who is Surrey’s head honcho, has been in talks with the BCCI regarding Auqib Nabi’s signing.
"While conditions are slightly different in New Zealand, but Auqib certainly will be in the scheme of things. So, a couple of games won't be bad for him while Gurnoor plays the Duleep Trophy. The BCCI is trying to get his UK visa and upon arrival, he might leave for UK," the source said in another statement while speaking to PTI.
Time Running Out For Mohammed Siraj
With the BCCI likely to give Auqib Nabi, last Ranji Trophy edition’s highest wicket-taker with 60 scalps, a long-term opportunity for the future, there is little doubt that Mohammed Siraj’s position in India's Test set-up appears to be bleak.
Even though Siraj took four wickets in 44 overs combined in the recently concluded India tour of Sri Lanka, his injury-prone nature keeps him in doubt for India's tour of New Zealand.
Gurnoor Brar, on the other hand, is already in the mix of things, and he will look to impress with the ball in Duleep Trophy to strengthen his place.
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