Dravid set to miss Mumbai encounter

BCCI unlikely to advance clash

 Having astutely masterminded Karnataka’s entry into the final for the first time in 11 years, the 36-year-old will be perfectly justified in hoping to be at the helm during the title clash, but international commitments in Bangladesh have all but scuppered his chances of playing for his State.

The five-day Ranji final ends on January 15 and the first Test against Bangaldesh begins in Chittagong on January 17. Dravid has been given time till the evening of January 15 by the Indian team management to report in Chittagong, but that will be humanly impossible because the final ends only the same day.

In a bid to get their best player to be a part of the playing eleven, the Karnataka State Cricket Association has appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to advance the final by a day so that the match ends on January 14 and Dravid has enough time to join the Indian team the following day.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan told Deccan Herald that there was no chance of the final being advanced, though KSCA officials have made one last-ditch attempt to move the match forward, citing the solar eclipse on January 15.

A final BCCI decision, likely to be a ‘no,’ to Karnataka’s request is expected on the morrow.

Dravid had been asked earlier, before the developments unfolded, about his availability for the final.

“My presence is obviously dependent on a few factors,” he replied.
“I spoke with the Indian team management and they expect me to be there by the 15th evening latest. To do that, the game needs to be preponed by a day, otherwise it will be impossible.

“If the game is preponed and I can play, it will be great. It will be a great opportunity for me after so many years to play a Ranji final. But if I don’t play, I have full confidence in the team that they will put up a good show against Mumbai.”