Ranji semi-finals: Bengal take on Delhi, Vidarbha face K'taka
16 Dec 2017 5:13 PM GMT
Pune: Mohammed Shami's guile coupled with Ashok Dinda's consistency will be countered by Gautam Gambhir's experience and Rishabh Pant's exuberance when Bengal square off with Delhi in a Ranji Trophy semi-final here on Sunday.
The match can be safely termed a fight between one of the most potent domestic new ball attacks in the country and a batting line-up that has players who can win matches on their own on a given day.
An encouraging piece of statistic for Bengal is that they have never ever conceded a first-innings lead against Delhi from 2009-10 season. And not to forget the bitter sweet relation between Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary and Gambhir, who have had their share of run-ins in the past.
India's craftiest red ball bowler Shami will get some serious match time against Gambhir, who has been there and done that for Delhi on numerous occasions.
Meanwhile, Karnataka will start favourites against this season's surprise package Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy semi-final on Sunday.
The Vinay Kumar-led side, which thrashed Mumbai by an innings and 20 runs enroute to the semis, seems to be peaking at the right time in their quest for a ninth Ranji title and twice in five seasons. He said: "Definitely beating Mumbai will help us, it will give us the extra cushion. It's past I can't think much about it."
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