Former Indian national team captain MS Dhoni’s request to include Jharkhand’s state team in the Buchi Babu Tournament was rejected by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, per reports. The tournament returns after five years as a reaction to Tamil Nadu’s poor performances at the Ranji trophy. Dhoni wanted Jharkhand to participate with Madhya Pradesh and Telangana to feature in the tournament, but a lack of open slots didn’t allow this request.
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The competition will feature twelve teams divided into four groups of three teams each. It was not only Jharkhand but a variety of other state teams were interested in participating in the tournament. The demand for spots was so great that the tournament’s initial plans to feature eight teams were scrapped to allow twelve participants to be introduced. Unfortunately, Jharkhand was not to be one of them.
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TNCA secretary RI Palani said, “MS Dhoni wanted Jharkhand included, but it was too tight. We couldn’t fit them because we already have 12 teams. Even Services and Chhattisgarh wanted to participate. We have decided to hold the tournament in Coimbatore, Salem, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli on green-tops as it will give players a good preparation since clubs use the event to prepare for the pre-season.”
