Ex-KKR power..STATE SIGNS UP ABDULLA

RAJEEV RAVIDAS , TT, 30 Aug 2019, Gangtok: The Sikkim Cricket Association (SCA) has roped in former KKR player Iqbal Abdulla as one of the state's three outstation players for the 2019-20 domestic season in an effort to bolster the team that had finished fifth in the plate division of the Ranji Trophy last season.

The Uttar Pradesh-born left-arm spinner is the second outstation player signed for Sikkim this season after veteran batsman Yashpal Singh

According to the rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a state can field a maximum of three outstation players in the team, which means Sikkim can sign one more player from outside.

The SCA said Abdulla, who has over 12 years of experience in domestic cricket, will give a boost to Sikkim. "He will be an asset for Team Sikkim and our local players will also stand to benefit by sharing the dressing room and field with such an experienced player," the SCA said.

The Azamgarh-born Abdullah has played for various teams, including India A, India Green, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kerala. He was also part of the Virat Kohli-led India team that had won the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.

With Abdulla's inclusion, Sikkim has two new outstation signings this season. The third player will also be a new one. In its debut 201819 season, the three outstation players to represent the state were Milind Kumar, Ishwar Chaudhury and Bipul Sharma.

The contribution of the outstation players, particularly Kumar and Chaudhury, had helped the state finish fifth in the plate division of the Ranji Trophy with four wins, three defeats and a draw. The Himalayan state, however, had failed to progress to the business end of the tournament.