Halhadar Das returns after lifting of ban

The Orissa Cricket Association has lifted the suspension it slapped on wicketkeeper-batsman Halhadar Das for the rest of the season, but has refrained from reinstating him as the team's Ranji captain.

Natraj Behera, who led the side in Das' absence against Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, has been retained as the captain, while Biplab Samantray will be his deputy. Subhrajit Sahoo, who performed keeping duties in Das's absence, is set to return to the fringes.

Das, who was in Mohali for the fixture against Punjab from November 10, was handed the punishment after reportedly skipping a team dinner and going out drinking on the eve of the match.

Squad: Natraj Behera (capt), Bikas Pati, Paresh Patel, Niranjan Behera, Abhilash Mallick, Biplab Samantaray (vice-capt), Deepak Behera, Halhadar Das (wk), Subit Biswal, Basant Mohanty, Alok Mangaraj, Dhiraj Singh, Jayanta Behera, Preetamjeet Das, Subhrajit Sahoo (wk), Lagnajit Sama, Santosh Jena