Ranji Trophy: Time running out as Viru, Gauti face Mumbai test
15 Nov 2013 4:09 AM IST
Mumbai have 12 points from two games while Delhi has only two from as many matches. With the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, Mithun Manhas and Unmukt Chand in their ranks, Delhi boasts of a top heavy batting line-up but it didn’t click against Gujarat in their last game where they could only manage a point.
Mumbai, on the other hand, have started their campaign in right earnest having registered back-to-back outright wins in away games against Haryana and Punjab.
That cricket is a fickle game is proved when Gambhir and Sehwag came out for a net session at a deserted BKC complex today. A year back, no one would have bet that the star-opening pair wouldn’t feature in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test match.
Gambhir and especially Sehwag, who has had some lasting on-field memories with Tendulkar, will be battling to save his own career some 20 kms from the Wankhede Stadium. For the 35-year-old Sehwag, who has scores of 7, 38, 1 and 15 in his last four first-class outings in the middle-order would like to get a big one in order to keep the national selectors interested in him as the Test team for South Africa will be decided in a few weeks’ time.
Delhi chief coach Sanjeev Sharma said that Sehwag wouldn’t be given any suggestion about his batting order.
‘Viru would bat where he wants to. There is simply no advice for him. If he feels he can contribute in the middle order, we are happy to have him at that slot. He is too good a player to remain out of form for a long time,’ Sharma said.
Bengal wary of Madhya Pradesh
MUMBAI: Bengal will have a testing time at home when they take on Madhya Pradesh in their group B Ranji Trophy match beginning at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
Boasting a fiery attack with right-arm pacer Ishwar Pandey up their ranks, Madhya Pradesh had defeated Bengal comprehensively at home last season, while in 2011-12 they walked away with three points chasing down 496 in the first innings here.
With a green-top on offer, Pandey who already has 12 wickets from two matches will be tempted to utilise the early morning moisture as the home side will have plenty to think about.
‘Tiwary makes a difference to the side and his absence will be an advantage,’ MP captain Devendra Bundela said on Thursday.
KEY FIXTURES
Grp A: Haryana vs Jharkand, Karnataka vs Gujarat, Mumbai vs Delhi, Vidharba vs Odisha
Grp B: Baroda vs Railways, Bengal vs MP, Saurashtra vs UP, Services vs Rajasthan
Grp C: AP vs Assam, HP vs J&K, Hyd vs Mah, Ker vs Tri
Mumbai, on the other hand, have started their campaign in right earnest having registered back-to-back outright wins in away games against Haryana and Punjab.
That cricket is a fickle game is proved when Gambhir and Sehwag came out for a net session at a deserted BKC complex today. A year back, no one would have bet that the star-opening pair wouldn’t feature in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test match.
Gambhir and especially Sehwag, who has had some lasting on-field memories with Tendulkar, will be battling to save his own career some 20 kms from the Wankhede Stadium. For the 35-year-old Sehwag, who has scores of 7, 38, 1 and 15 in his last four first-class outings in the middle-order would like to get a big one in order to keep the national selectors interested in him as the Test team for South Africa will be decided in a few weeks’ time.
Delhi chief coach Sanjeev Sharma said that Sehwag wouldn’t be given any suggestion about his batting order.
‘Viru would bat where he wants to. There is simply no advice for him. If he feels he can contribute in the middle order, we are happy to have him at that slot. He is too good a player to remain out of form for a long time,’ Sharma said.
Bengal wary of Madhya Pradesh
MUMBAI: Bengal will have a testing time at home when they take on Madhya Pradesh in their group B Ranji Trophy match beginning at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
Boasting a fiery attack with right-arm pacer Ishwar Pandey up their ranks, Madhya Pradesh had defeated Bengal comprehensively at home last season, while in 2011-12 they walked away with three points chasing down 496 in the first innings here.
With a green-top on offer, Pandey who already has 12 wickets from two matches will be tempted to utilise the early morning moisture as the home side will have plenty to think about.
‘Tiwary makes a difference to the side and his absence will be an advantage,’ MP captain Devendra Bundela said on Thursday.
KEY FIXTURES
Grp A: Haryana vs Jharkand, Karnataka vs Gujarat, Mumbai vs Delhi, Vidharba vs Odisha
Grp B: Baroda vs Railways, Bengal vs MP, Saurashtra vs UP, Services vs Rajasthan
Grp C: AP vs Assam, HP vs J&K, Hyd vs Mah, Ker vs Tri
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