Laxman to lead Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy

VVS Laxman will lead Hyderabad in their opening game of the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy, against Punjab in Mohali. Laxman, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, had said at the time he announced his decision that he wanted to play for Hyderabad this domestic season.

Dwaraka Ravi Teja, who led Hyderabad last season, will deputise for Laxman this time. Pragyan Ojha has also been named in the squad for the opening game; he missed the bulk of the previous domestic season due to his India commitments.

Hyderabad were part of the Plate League at the beginning of the last season but sneaked into the quarter-finals of the main tournament, where their campaign ended with a draw against eventual champions Rajasthan, who progressed on the basis of a first-innings lead.

Sunil Joshi, the former India left-arm spinner, is the Hyderabad head coach and Noel David the fielding coach.

Hyderabad squad: VVS Laxman (capt), Dwaraka Ravi Teja (vice-capt), Akshath Reddy, Hanuma Vihari, Arjun Yadav, Syed Ahmed Quadri, Bavanaka Sandeep, Ibrahim Khaleel, Pragyan Ojha, Ashish Reddy, Mohammed Khader, Anwar Ahmed, Pagadala Naidu, Abhinav Kumar, Vishal Sharma.