On the eve of Bengal’s clash against Andhra Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2019-20, star pacer Ashok Dinda has been banned by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for abusing Bengal’s bowling coach Ranadeb Bose. The pacer is not the part of Bengal’s playing XI against Andhra Pradesh in the ongoing and his ouster could well affect the side’s chances of winning the match. Bengal made a blistering start by defeating Kerela by eight wickets in their opening encounter. Just when the team were gearing up for their next clash against Andhra Pradesh on December 25, the news of Dinda’s indisciplinary act came out on the eve of the clash and the pacer was ruled out of the fixture. Shikhar Dhawan Makes Scintillating Comeback From Injury by Scoring Magnificent Century For Delhi Against Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy 2019–20.

According to a report of Cricbuzz, Dinda used a cuss word Bengal’s bowling coach after a practice session when the former was talking to captain Abhimanyu Easwaran during the team meeting. Post the incidence, the selectors of the Bengal cricket team had a meeting in the evening in which they decided to axe the right-arm fast bowler from the 16-members squad which was supposed to lock horns with Andhra Pradesh.

According to a CAB source, Dinda was given a notice period till the evening to apologise for his behaviour. However, the pacer didn’t and could well be ignored for the rest of the season. Dinda has been Bengal’s prime bowlers over the years and his absence could well hurt his team’s chances of winning the tournament.

However, the good sign is that Manoj Tiwary has made a comeback in the side after missing the first Test due to an injury and will look to extend his side’s winning run. In the bowling department, Ishan Porel, Mukesh Kumar will have the onus to pierce the defences of Andhra Pradesh batsmen in order to give Bengal another victory.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2019 06:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).