Ranji Trophy Transfers 2016-17: Mohammad Kaif to lead Chattisgarh side

With the Ranji Trophy about to start in October, there have been many significant transfers within the domestic circuit and teams are leaving no stone unturned for the upcoming season. One of the most successful batsmen for Tamil Nadu, Subramanium Badrinath has been hired by Hyderabad to add strength to their batting line-up.

Badrinath was the frontrunner for being the batting coach of Tamil Nadu after leading Vidarbha for the last two seasons but took up the job in Hyderabad for his desire of a prolonged career in all the 3 formats. Meanwhile, former Indian bowling coach B.Arun was appointed as the head coach of the team.

Ambati Rayudu, another successful campaigner in the domestic level shifted loyalty Vidarbha after representing Baroda for six seasons. The place in the middle order which become void with the departure of Badrinath will now be filled by the experienced Rayudu who also has a decent record in the International arena (ODIs).

Mumbai are the defending champions of the coveted Ranji Trophy, but they have something to worry about. Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla and batsman Bhavin Thakkar, who were part of the winning squad, was roped in by Kerala for a span of one year. Though these two were not regulars in the Mumbai squad, yet they would have added value in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Chhattisgarh is the only team to make a debut in the Ranji Trophy this year, and what better player than Mohammad Kaif to lead the Team. Kaif is a vastly experienced player having played at the top level on a regular basis and has played many significant innings for the ‘Men in Blue’. After playing the majority of his domestic cricket for his native team Uttar Pradesh, the hero of the 2002 Natwest Trophy Final has taken the burden of responsibility for his new side Chhattisgarh.

The top scorer for Hyderabad last season, dynamic Hanuma Vihari has left to perform for Andhra, while left-arm spinner from Gujarat, Bhargav Bhatt has also joined the same team. Former Indian batsman Hrishikesh Kanitkar has been signed for two years by Tamil Nadu as their coach. Another former International, Sunil Joshi inked a two-year contract with Assam as a coach.

Australian David Andrews who was the coach of Maharashtra will be replaced by their former player Shrikant Kalyani.

The other players to join Chattisgarh are Jalaj Saxena, Ashutosh Singh, Pankaj Kumar Rao, who have all joined from Madhya Pradesh while Sumit Ruikar also joined the new side. Manjeet Singh and Nikhil Doru moved from Rajasthan to the Railways team.