10 big names who played outside their home team in the Ranji trophy

The Ranji Trophy has contributed many players to the Indian national teamRanji Trophy is a litmus test for the young cricketers who want to represent the national team. For many years, India’s premier domestic tournament has produced several players who have gone on to represent the national team for years.But there are some big players who represent Ranji teams that are not their home teams. The reasons can vary from lack of chances in the home side to giving the young guns in their home state a chance by stepping away to a different team.So let’s have a look at the 10 big names who played outside their home team in the Ranji trophy.

#1 Virender Sehwag

“I am really looking forward to playing for Haryana this domestic season. It is an exciting setup with a lot of youngsters in the side. It will be nice to share the dressing room with a side that is bubbling with youth. I will be looking to share my experiences with them and hopefully shape some of their careers in the process.” – This is what Sehwag said when he left Delhi to play for Haryana in the Ranji trophy.

A seasoned campaigner for India, Sehwag was a match winner in all formats of the game. His aggressive batting and experience will be invaluable to the Haryana team and the youngsters in the team can learn a lot from one of India’s leading run scorer in Test cricket.

#2 Vijay Manjrekar

Vijay Manjrekar was born in Bombay and made his Test debut against England in Calcutta in 1951. He scored 48 in his first innings batting at number seven in the line-up. He went on to play 54 more Tests for India and scored 3208 runs at an average of 39.12.

Manjrekar played for 6 teams in the Ranji trophy – Bombay, Bengal, Andhra, UP, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Manjrekar set an admirable example of playing for the team when despite a broken thumb, he came out to bat against Wesley Hall and Roy Gilchrist in the Delhi Test of 1958-59, so that Chandu Borde, who was on 96, could complete a century.

#3 Vinoo Mankad

Vinoo Mankad is one of the best allrounders that India has produced. He played 44 Tests for India and scored 2109 runs at an average of 31.47 and also picked up 162 wickets at an average of 32.32. He was a prolific all-rounder in first-class games with a batting average of 34.70 in 233 games and also possessed an impressive bowling average of 24.53.

Mankad was born in Gujarat but played for seven Ranji teams. He played for Western India, Nawanagar/Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bengal, Bombay and Rajasthan in the Ranji trophy.

#4 Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan is the best left-arm fast bowler that India has produced. He could swing the new ball and then reverse it later and represented India in 92 Tests and 200 ODIs. The leader of the Indian bowling attack in the victorious 2011 World Cup campaign, he has been a great servant for Indian cricket.

Zaheer Khan hails from Shrirampur, Maharashtra and has played first-class games for Baroda and Mumbai. He made his debut for Baroda but later switched to Mumbai.

#5 Lala Amarnath

Lala Amarnath scored the first Test century for India and went on to become a selector, manager, coach and broadcaster. He played 24 Tests for India and scored 878 runs at an average of 24.38 and picked up 45 wickets at an average of 32.91.

Amarnath was born in Punjab and went on to play for Southern Punjab, Patiala/PEPSU, Gujarat, UP and Railways. One of the most iconic names of Indian cricket, Lala Amarnath will forever be remembered for his contributions.

#6 Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler, formed a good bowling partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin for a good period of time in Tests. In Ranji Trophy, though his home state is Orissa, he has played for Hyderabad from the age of 14 but he has switched to Bengal for the 2015-2016 season.

“Sourav spoke to me and said they’re keen on having him in the Bengal side. It was so exciting for me that I could not turn it down. The main objective was to play for an Elite team to give a push to my comeback. I’ve got the acceptance letter (contract) and my NOC is also ready,” said Ojha.

Only time will tell whether he can forge a comeback into the Indian team.

#7 Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer was an opener for India for a few years and has been a giant in the domestic circuit for a long time. He has scored 16846 runs in 224 first-class games at an average of 50.43. The amount of runs he has scored reflects his potential as a batsman and he is the highest individual run-getter in Ranji trophy.

His home team is Mumbai but switched to Vidarbha for the 2015-2016 season. "Wasim will obviously bring in loads of experience and expertise. His presence will not only be handy in the batting department but also with regard to helping young batsmen from Vidarbha hone their skills and take their game to the next level," Prakash Dixit, the president of the Vidarbha Cricket Association president, told ESPNCricinfo.

#8 Subramaniam Badrinath

If Brad Hodge was unlucky to be born in the wrong era in Australia then his Indian version is Subramaniam Badrinath whose career was affected by the outstanding talent India already had in their team.

Badrinath managed to play only 2 Tests and 7 ODIs for India, but he deserved more. In 128 first-class games, Badrinath has scored 9397 runs at an average of 58.36. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Badrinath is currently playing for Vidarbha in the Ranji trophy.

#9 Munaf Patel

Once hailed as the fastest bowler in Indian cricket, Munaf Patel couldn’t carve out a fulfilling international career but he had his moments such as being part of the 2011 World Cup winning team when he ably supported Zaheer Khan to help India clinch the title.

Munaf has played 13 Tests and 70 ODIs for India. Munaf hails from Gujarat but started his first-class career for Mumbai even when Baroda and Gujarat wanted him, but he decided to opt for Mumbai after Sachin Tendulkar had shown a keen interest in his abilities.

#10 RP Singh

RP Singh is a left arm fast bowler who was an integral part of the 2007 T-20 World Cup winning team. He has played 14 Tests, 58 ODIs and 10 T-20’s for India. In the Ranji Trophy, his home team is Uttar Pradesh but he has switched to Gujarat in the 2015-2016 season.

RP Singh is one of the many high-profile players who have switched teams in the 2015-2016 Ranji season .His expertise will come in handy for the Gujarat team in the time he spends with them.