The netizens went abuzz and people and politicians came out with happy notes and congratulatory posts as reports of state’s ace all-rounder Manisankar Murasingh getting berth in India A team to play cricket against New Zealand spread on Sunday.
The report was given by the Times of India, although till filing this report there was no confirmation for Manishankar’s selection was available from the BCCI.
The Times of India reported that Subham Gill was likely to lead the Indian A squad and the Tripura cricketer Manishankar would be included in the India- A team for four-day games against New Zealand.
Notwithstanding the absence of BCCI confirmation, people of the state became euphoric and started flooding the Facebook, Whatsapp , Twitter and other social media platforms with congratulatory posts and comments. Even Sports Minister Sushanta Chowdhury took to the social media and extended his greetings as soon as the Time of India report hit.
Chowdhury in his message wrote, the success achieved by Manisankar would definitely inspire the state’s cricketers and shine Tripura’s name in the international level.
Former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb also made post in the Facebook and other social media accounts regarding Manishankar’s includsion in the India team. He also congratulated him for his achievement.
Manishankar who is the captain of the city Club Bloodmouth’s cricket team captain did not want to make any comment until and unless the official confirmation comes from the BCCI.
“Until the team is announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, I remain with my fingers crossed. If I get a chance in the Indian ‘A’ team, I will learn a lot, which will help Tripura to play better in the future.”
Bloodmouth Club secretary Sebak Bhattacharjee said, if he is indeed selected then it’s a great news.
“This will be for the first time a cricketer from Tripura will play at such a level for India”, said Bhattacharjee.
It may be mentioned here that earlier two all-rounders from Tripura- Rajesh Banik and Tushar Saha had made it to the U-15 Indian team in 2001. The two cricketers from Tripura played the Asia Cup in Malaysia and the World Cup in England wearing the jersey of the Indian team.
Rizu Saha played as the first woman cricketer from Tripura in the Indian ‘A’ team against South Africa in 2014. She also played for Indian ‘C’ team in November last year.
According to the reports , Shubman Gill has been named as the captain of the Indian ‘A’ team against New Zealand. Besides, the team includes Yash Dubey, Hanuma Bihari, Rajat Patidar, Sarfraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat (wicket keeper), Shyams Mulani, Jalaj Saxena, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, Yashavi Jashwal, Shubham Sharma, Akshay Wadkar (wicket keeper), Shahbaz Ahmed and Manisankar Murasingh.
Apart from this, the Indian ‘A’ team for the ODIs includes Shubman Gill (captain), Prithvi Shah, Rituraj Gaikward, Hanuma Bihari, Ishan Kishan (wicket keeper), Washington Sundar, Rishi Dhawan, Praveen Dubey, Mayank Markande, Prashid Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, KS Bharat (wicket keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Pulkit Narang, Rahul Chahar and Yash Dayal.
