VISAKHAPATNAM : All is set for the DB Deodhar trophy 2017 matches from Saturday. The YSR ACA-VDCA stadium here has been decked up for the tournament.
The teams -India-A, India-B and winners of Vijaya Hazare trophy (Tamil Nadu)-have been at the nets since Thursday.
The teams had practice sessions at VDCA ‘B’ ground Vizag and ACA North Zone Cricket Academy, Vizianagaram. However, it is a big disappointment for most of the cricket lovers as Indian opener Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the tournament owing to an injury, after he was picked up for the Deodhar trophy. Kedhar Jadhav, who came to focus after his performance both with his bat and ball against England last year, is also missing the tournament owing to illness.
“Last time, the hitman (Rohit Sharma) was injured in Vizag during a match against New Zealand. We were pretty excited to see him back in action in Vizag this time, ahead of ICC Champions Trophy. It’s a huge disappointment,” said Teja Santosh, a final year B Tech student and a fan of the Mumbai Indian skipper.
However, Harbhajan Singh, who is now going to lead the India Blue team in the absence of Rohit sharma, Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu, Parthiv Patel, Shikar Dhawan, and a few others will remain the crowd pullers.
There will be four matches in total. On the opening day, the India Red will take on India Blue. On March 26, the India Red will play against Tamil Nadu and on March 27, India Blue will take on Tamil Nadu. The finals are scheduled on March 29.
Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) vice- president PV Deva Varma said that the entry was totally free for the cricket lovers and they could gain entry through gate no.16 (highway side). He also said that various committees had been constituted for the successful organisation of the tournament.