Dhiraj replaces Sourav in Orissa Ranji team

Orissa made one change in the state team for the third round Ranji Trophy Super League match against Rajasthan to be played at VSS Stadium in Sambalpur from November 16 to 19. According a release from Orissa Cricket Association, left-arm spinner Sourav Sehgal, who proved ineffective in the first two matches against Hyderabad and Saurashtra, has been replaced by Dhiraj Singh. Dhiraj entered the team by virtue of his impressive performance in the ongoing under-22 CK Nayudu Trophy tournament. Meanwhile, OCA secretary Asirbad Behera sounded a warning, saying that the composition of the state Ranji team would undergo a drastic change for the remaining matches. ``There will be a major change when the selection committee meets on November 20 to pick the team for the ramaining matches,`` Behera said. He further disclosed that job of the team`s physio K Bharatiraj and trainer VS Sudarshan would be under the Damocles Sword. ``The physio and the trainer hid the fitness status of some of the players who were not able to run properly,`` revealed a peeved Behera. ``OCA has also told the selection committe to give chances to reserve players, including Paresh Patel and Samir Mohanty,`` he added. The reason for OCA to react so strognly seems obvious considering the fact that Orissa`s performance has been very disappointing in the first two matches. The state managed to obtain a face-saving draw against Hyderabad in the opening tie and then suffered an innings defeat against Saurashtra. ORISSA TEAM: Shiv Sundar Das (capt), Bikash Swarup Pati, Niranjan Behera, Subit Biswal, Payas Ranjan Sinha, Haladhar Das (wk), Rakesh Mohanty, Debasis Mohanty, Preetamjeet Das, Basant Mohanty, Dhiraj Singh, P Jayachandra, Sukanta Khatua, Samir Mohanty, Paresh Patel.

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