Ramesh Powar moves to Gujarat after exclusion of Rajasthan from domestic calender

FILE PHOTO: Ramesh Powar

All-rounder Ramesh Powar has signed for Gujarat for the forthcoming season following the BCCI’s decision not to include Rajasthan in the domestic calender. The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) was suspensed after it alllowed Lalit Modi to contest and win their Presidential election despite serving a life ban from cricket management.

"It was a mutual decision to part ways with Rajasthan. I am delighted that Gujarat approached days before the start of the season and I hope I can contribute on and off the field for them," Powar said on his move. The player will be looking forward to better his poor showing last season where he could only pick up 10 wickets at 62.20 from six appearances.

Notably, the 36-year-old had moved to Rajasthan last season after a 14-year association with Mumbai. The former Indian international has 31 ODI and 2 Test caps to his name. In 138 first class matches, the cricketer has 442 wickets and scored 4102 runs. In 113 List A matches, Powar has 142 scalps and 1080 runs to show for.

Interestingly, there is deadline (September 1) for domestic transfers that was relented only for the sake of Rajasthan cricketers whose future still hangs in jeopardy. Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Rajesh Patel confirmed that the BCCI "has issued an NOC for Powar's transfer to Gujarat," thereby making him the first Rajasthan player to move out of the side.

"By the time I got the NOC, most of the teams had signed their professionals, so I had decided to wait and see if someone wanted to use my experience. It was nice that Gujarat did. They have a team with a good mix of youth and experience and they have been a team on the rise. I hope I can pass on my knowledge and experience and help Parthiv [Patel, the Gujarat captain] in improving the standard and performance of the team," added Powar.

"With a young family to raise, it's important to devote as much time possible at home. I can avoid being away for the whole season, with Ahmedabad and Mumbai being so well connected," he revealed the other benefits of moving to the new team.

Pawar will join Venugopal Rao as the second professional for Gujarat after they decided to renew his services. However, Indian seamer Pankaj Singh is said to have declined a switch to the side when he was offered a contract earlier.