Sandeep is out of Hyd, goes to Goa
After A. T. Rayudu and G. H. Vihari, Hyderabad has lost one more good cricketer to another state — top order batsman Bavanaka Sandeep has decided to play for Goa in the Ranji Trophy from this year. The 28-year-old received his no objection certificate from the Hyderabad Cricket Association on Monday.
The left-handed batsman is believed to have lost faith in the administrators, selectors and others who call the shots in the HCA after being overlooked many a time, including being dropped from the side despite doing well. He currently has the best batting average in the team.
He was also miffed at not being pitched for South Zone teams despite good performances. Former India player and Hyderabad captain Rayudu was instrumental in weaning Sandeep away from the HCA, it is reliably learnt.
Sandeep is currently in Dubai for the IPL with the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, which he made this year after impressive shows in Twenty20 match
es — he averaged 87 with a strike rate of 140 last season.
As an 18-year-old, Sandeep announced his arrival with a bang in Ranji Trophy, scoring a century (144) on debut against Jharkhand in November 2010 after Hyderabad was shot out for a humiliating 21 by Rajasthan in the previous match, triggering an overhaul of the team. He has scored 3,631 runs in 58 first class games since, averaging 44.82 with seven centuries, including a double ton, and 21 fifties. A parttime left-arm spinner, Sandeep also has 12 wickets against his name.