Ganguly to miss Duleep tie

Sourav Ganguly: likely to play in the next match against Bangladesh Selections © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly has been ruled out of the four-day Duleep Trophy match between East Zone and Central Zone due to a side strain which he suffered during the Challenger series in Mumbai. The match is scheduled to start at Gwalior today.

Bablu Kolay, the joint secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, informed Press Trust of India that Ganguly was "not fit" to participate and had been advised by his doctors to take rest. However, Ganguly is likely to play in East Zone's second match of the tournament, against Bangladesh Selections at Nagpur from February 22. Ganguly's absence will provide an opportunity to Laxmi Ratan Shukla, the Bengal vice-captain and allrounder, to lead the side.

Kolay further said, "No replacement is being sent for Ganguly as we feel that he will have to sit out only one match."