‘Advantage Vidarbha’ As they take on Mumbai in Ranji semis from today

 

 

 

THERE is more than something in you if your opponent concedes that you have an advantage going into an important outing. Last year’s Ranji Trophy finalists — two-time champions Vidarbha and multiple times winners Mumbai will clash one step ahead of the title match this season, in semi-finals of the most prestigious red-ball trophy in India. The crunch match will begin at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium from Monday. Vidarbha, who almost stunned the domestic giants in the summit clash last year, are on a roll this season too. They are unbeaten in the tournament and have won all of their eight matches enroute to the semi-final. In seven games, they have recorded outright wins while in game against Gujarat they had to be content with a first innings lead. Considering their red-hot form, skipper of the defending champions Mumbai and former India player Ajinkya Rahane gave Vidarbha “advantage” going into the knock-out clash. “They have done really well this season. it is advantage Vidarbha as they are also playing on their home turf. They know the conditions well. In the last few years Vidarbha have improved very much as a competitive side,” said Rahane in praise of the rival team.

 

Vidarbha batters Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Dhruv Shorey, skipper Akshay Wadkar and all-rounder Harsh Dubey have been in fine form with the willow the entire season. In 14 innings, Rathod has amassed 728 runs with four tons and two fifties and sits at 7th spot in top run-getters’ list. Nair has scored 591 runs at almost 50 with three hundreds and a fifty. Wadkar is a rung below the former India star who is just the second batter to score a triple hundred for India in Tests. The stumper has 588 runs that includes two tons and a half century. Dubey has five straight fifties going into the semis along with numero uno position in the bowling chart with a whopping 59 scalps, 15 more than the second-placed Auqib Nabi of J&K. He has half a dozen five-wicket hauls. Veteran off-spinner Akshay Wakhare has been a perfect companion for Dubey. Vidarbha pacers have given them right kind of starts in most of the games. Aditya Thakare, Yash Thakur and Nachiket Bhute all have done well with the cherry.

 

The speed-attack has been bolstered by inclusion of seam bowler Darshan Nalkande. On the other hand, Mumbai had a disastrous start to the season going down to Baroda in the tournament opener. They were even stunned by lowly Jammu & Kashmir, who failed to qualify for the semis by one run, by five wickets. Saved by the tail (as batters) on many occasions, Mumbai fought back to register five outright wins and one on first innings lead. They have had starting troubles in many games and even the likes of India captain Rohit Sharma and southpaw opener Yashasvi Jaiswal could not revive their fortunes up front. Moreover, the stylish and explosive Jaiswal has hurt his ankle and is not available for the important clash. Siddesh Lad (565 runs) is their lone batsman who has crossed the 500-run mark. He is followed by Shreyas Iyer (480), who is missing the game as he’s on India duty.

 

Young top-order bat Ayush Mhatre, Rahane and India discard all-rounder Shardul Thakur are other major contributors. Mumbai have got Suryakumar Yadav boost and the team also boasts of all-rounder Shivam Dube, both of whom can change complexion of the game pretty quickly. Also, Mumbai have very bad memories of Jamtha. They have been crushed in both their previous knock-out games by innings. And, that adds to Vidarbha’s advantage going into the big game.

 

 

 

 Mumbai lose opener Jaiswal

 

INDIA opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named in the Mumbai squad for the Ranji semis against Vidarbha, has hurt his ankle and will not be available for the crunch game starting Monday. It is gathered that the southpaw was hit by a delivery on Saturday during a net session at Jamtha. He was seen in pain and the medical staff was quickly summoned from the pavilion. Jaiswal is a non-travelling reserve in India’s Champions Trophy squad.