Mumbai: In the last four seasons, the India team management had adopted a policy of releasing reserve players for Ranji Trophy matches during a home series.
While it helped fringe players gain match practice, releasing them regularly proved difficult. In the 2012-13 season, Mumbai played 11 matches and won the Ranji Trophy for the 40th time but Ajinkya Rahane was present at only three of those, since he was in the Test squad for the home series against England and Australia.
While he was released after the third Test against England, the Mumbai batsman was back on the bench for the Australia series.
When the right-hander finally made his Test debut in the fourth Test against Australia as Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out, he could score only eight in the two innings.
The story is likely to repeat itself for Rahane, as he is certain to miss the Ranji tie against traditional rivals Delhi here from Thursday. On the other hand, Delhi too will not be able to have services of Ishant Sharma.
India captain M.S. Dhoni on Wednesday hinted that he is not too keen on releasing players. “We want everyone to play matches but we also want best fielders for the Test when someone goes out,” he said on Tuesday.
“If we release someone for this game then other association may raise questions as to why their player was not released earlier. We have to fair to everyone,” he added.
