It’s not just cricket’s big league that has been affected by the extensive terror attacks in Mumbai, even the Ranji Trophy schedule hasn’t been spared. While the Elite Division Group A match between Mumbai and Hyderabad has been postponed from November 29 to December 2, the venue for the match between Delhi and Orissa has been shifted to the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi. The match was initially to be held at the Roshanara ground due to the December 2 ODI at the Kotla, but with the cancellation of the remaining one-dayers against England, the stadium is available to host this Ranji tie.Rescue actThe Indian team gets a break, but those on leave from the Delhi side due to their international commitments will don the Ranji whites in an attempt to perform an incredible rescue act. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli have played their parts in the pummelling of England, now they must turn their attention to their domestic side’s floundering hopes in the Ranji Trophy. With four draws from their four matches played so far, Delhi have managed a total of just six points, and seventh position in Group A. The defending champions need three victories from three ties — against Orissa, Saurashtra and Rajasthan — to make it to the quarter-finals.The players have landed in Delhi, and though there was speculation they would prefer to rest after a packed international schedule, the foursome realises that Delhi’s precarious situation in the league will not afford them that luxury.
