Increasing stock of India's pace battery focus of new selection panel, says Renu Margrate

“Jhulan (Goswami) doesn’t play T20s, then there is Shikha Pandey. Other than them, we don’t have many options,” Margrate told Hindustan Times. “Once domestic cricket resumes, the selection panel would focus on scouting and grooming good fast bowlers.”

Margrate, who played five Tests and 23 ODIs for India, is part of the new selection panel that is headed by Neetu David, the former Indian spinner. Arati Vaidya, Mithu Mukherjee, Venkatachar Kalpana are the other members.

“I’m grateful to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed committee for choosing me for this job,” said Margrate, who replaced Shashi Gupta from North Zone.

“It’s amazing to be back to the sport after a decade in a different role. Our first job will be to make squads for the Women’s T20 Challenge to be held in the United Arab Emirates.”

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The Women’s T20 Challenge is set to be played in Sharjah between November 4 and 9 with the same three teams – Supernovas, Velocity and Trailblazers – to play. While Chamari Atapattu and Shashikala Siriwardene from Sri Lanka and Ayabonga Khaka from South Africa are set to feature in the competition, players from West Indies, Bangladesh and England are yet to be confirmed.

“The tournament will provide a perfect platform to India domestic cricketers as Australians, Kiwis and English players will be busy in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The Covid pandemic halted the game a bit but with IPL-13 taking place in the UAE, the smiles are back again.”

“Hopefully, women matches will also have thrilling finishes. And we can find more Shafali Varmas from the tournament,” Margrate concluded.

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