E-Paper
Ganguly looks at the positives ahead of final
Bengal will be without key batsman Manoj Tiwary and in-form pacer Ashok Dinda but skipper Sourav Ganguly is hopeful there would be a change of luck in the Vijay Hazare one-day final clash against Mumbai on Monday.
Bengal will be without key batsman Manoj Tiwary and in-form pacer Ashok Dinda but skipper Sourav Ganguly is hopeful there would be a change of luck in the Vijay Hazare one-day final clash against Mumbai on Monday.
Point out his team are without the two players, who are part of the Asia Cup squad, and Ganguly shows his reputation as a leader on the pitch was not built on fretting about such things. “Even Mumbai don't have Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Khan! We have a decent side and will do our best to win.”
Ganguly also hoped it would be third time lucky for Bengal, who have not won the trophy despite having reached the final twice in the past. "This is the first time I have captained Bengal for a full season and hopefully we will set that right this time," he said.
Bengal is likely to field an unchanged eleven from the one that defeated Punjab in the semifinal. However, there could be a change as opener Jayojit Basu, who lost his father on Saturday, may not be in a mental frame to play although he has joined the team after the funeral. The big question is whether toss again be a factor on the result as in the first few games the side that won the toss and fielded first had an advantage on the Ferozshah Kotla track. The Bengal skipper doesn't feel that way.
“In the last game (against Delhi), Mumbai won the toss and batted first and posted nearly 300. Still, we will take a call after a having look at the wicket before the game."
Mumbai do have the batting advantage after the seasoned Wasim Jaffer and Ajinkya Rahane played their part against Delhi. And the Ajit Agarkar-led side have played two matches at Ferozshah Kotla while it will be the first game for Bengal, who have played all their previous games at the Palam ground.
Mumbai had an optional training session on Sunday where most players didn't turn up. But looking at their domestic record and their form in the tournament they will start as slight favourites.
