It is all or nothing for Punjab in their fourth Super Group Ranji Trophy tie against Gujarat on a green top wicket at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.
Still to register a win, Punjab will be desperate to open their account against the visitors and the reappointed skipper
Pankaj Dharmani knows this too well. He made it clear that his team will go for a win. But Punjab also intend to play safe and for that the team will go with seven batsmen and four bowlers.
“We would have three pacers and a spinner with seven batsmen. It’s a green top and will have consistent pace and bounce on all four days,” he said.
“We have played two games in these conditions and I think our local experience will also help us,” Dharmani, who replaced Ankur Kakkar as skipper, said.
Gujarat, on the other hand, will be looking to extend their good run. Led by Parthiv Patel, they have one win and two draws and are sitting pretty at number three with nine points.
With Manpreet Gony and Luv Ablish set to play, the last slot of a pacer will be decided between Harmeet and Gagandeep. In the spin department, the choice is between Rahul Sharma and Sarabjit Ladda, he added.
Gujarat coach Vijay Patel, however, chose to keep his cards close to his chest and refused to comment on team composition. “We will decide in the morning. The wicket is green and we will take a call before the match,” he said.
Dharmani, who has been in good touch this season, said the extra weight of captaincy will not interfere in his batting. “They (Gujarat) have a settled team but it is not easy to bat in such conditions. A lot of skill and application is required and I think we have a chance,” he said.