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It’s Delhi bowlers versus TN batsmen
Kudos to Delhi for making it to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals from a rather disheartening position. But, it is here the real test will begin when they take on Tamil Nadu, which boasts of an impressive batting line-up.
Kudos to Delhi for making it to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals from a rather disheartening position. But, it is here the real test will begin when they take on Tamil Nadu, which boasts of an impressive batting line-up.
The good news for Delhi — who have thrived on the strength of their bowlers — is that the weather conditions are just what their pacers would have desired. The early morning nip can work wonders for them at the Palam grounds — the venue for the last—four encounter.
It's for this reason that the toss has assumed importance. "It will be important, but it will also depend on how the team that bowls first utilises the morning conditions," said Delhi skipper Rajat Bhatia.
Tamil Nadu coach W.V. Raman had his own theory. "From here on, it's going to be a case of the side batting better winning. That has been the history of Ranji Trophy," he said.
However, the pitch isn't what the teams would have desired. The BCCI pitch committee chairman, Daljit Singh, didn't look too impressed after seeing the wicket.
"We didn't get enough time to work on it. It isn't what I would have desired, but it's okay."
Still, Rajat Bhatia was optimistic. "It seems like a good wicket. As far as the record of this track goes, it has assisted batsmen."
There were a few cracks on one side of the pitch while the other was dotted with little grass — a rather odd sight.
But, then, the 22-yard track would be the same for both teams and, in the end it boils down to skills.
Considering that Tamil Nadu had amassed three points in their last league match against Mumbai, with two of their batsmen — C. Ganpathy and skipper Murali Vijay — scoring fine centuries and S. Bardinath putting on 250 on the board, they are a tough team to face.
What's more, their bowling isn't bad either with L. Balaji leading the pace attack and left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas coming off his career-best performance with seven wickets in an innings against Mumbai.
Delhi, as always, would be relying on their time-tested formula of pace, with Sumit Narwal, Pradeep Sangwan, Parvinder Awana and Pawan Suyal sharing the maximum burden.
The good news for them is that Shikhar Dhawan, who had scored a double ton against Baroda in the first league match and a hundred against Karnataka in the next game, is back. He had injured his thumb while fielding against Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow. Chopra too would be raring to go after a short break.
