Now that Saurashtra have re-written history by reaching the Ranji Trophy final, the state association wants its best player, Cheteshwar Pujara, to be in the side for the final.

The formal request is yet to be given to the BCCI, but sources said that the association will appeal for Pujara's release from the Indian one-day squad which is in the middle of the series against England.

Depending on the outcome of the other semifinal between Mumbai and Services, Saurashtra will play the final either at Rajkot or in Mumbai from January 26 to 30. India will play England in the fourth ODI in Mohali on January 23 while the last match of the series is on January 27 at Dharamsala.

"If the Indian team management wants Pujara to stay with the team, the state association can't do much. But Saurashtra are certainly going to approach the board for Pujara's release," a team source told TOI.

Pujara, yet to make his ODI debut, has not featured in any of the three ODIs played against England so far.

The other Saurashtra player in the Indian team, Ravindra Jadeja, who has scored two triple hundreds for his state team in the Ranji Trophy this season, is playing a key role for India and so in not expected to be taken off national duties.

"Most of the Indian batsmen playing in the ODI series are getting back into form. So, releasing Pujara, or Rohit Sharma (if Mumbai make the final) shouldn't be much of a problem," a BCCI official remarked.



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