The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mumbai has the edge over Baroda

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Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007
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Mumbai has the edge over Baroda

Nandakumar Marar

VADODARA: Ashok Mankad gave Irfan Pathan, Jacob Martin and Rajesh Pawar a break from training on the eve of the Ranji Trophy cricket semifinal against Mumbai. The other team members were put through a net session in the morning at the Motibaug ground, the venue for the five-day knock-out game between the two former Ranji champions.

In these days of intensive preparations under specialised trainers in international cricket, the Baroda coach's deliberate decision to allow match-winners rest before a decisive game evokes surprise.

Mankad's logic is clear. "We always give rest to key players of the team the day before the match. Irfan, Martin and Pawar will come back fresh, eager for action from the first session on the first day. That is how I want my team to approach matches," explained the former India Test batsman.

His wish is for the semifinal to be a keen contest. "Regardless of who wins in the end, I want the match to see a contest of cricketing skills, so that the game wins in the end."

Baroda is a compact side with healthy competition for places among the seniors (new ball bowler Rakesh Patel, opener Connor Williams, all-rounder Ajit Bhoite) and youngsters (Ketan Panchal, Pinal Shah and Murtuza Vahora) due to Mankad's rotation policy in the league games.

Mumbai captain Amol Muzumdar and coach Praveen Amre respect the Baroda coach for his achievement and contribution to Mumbai cricket. Now is the time to leave the thoughts of rivalry aside and focus on reaching the final.

"Baroda will have the home advantage. We know that and are prepared," said Muzumdar.

Balanced side

Amre said: "Mumbai is a more balanced side with Wasim Jaffer at the top of the batting order, Muzumdar in the middle and Nilesh Kulkarni looking after the bowling," Amre, who views the absence of Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar as an opportunity for youngsters to stake claim.

The teams (from):

Mumbai: Amol Muzumdar (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Sahil Kukreja, Hiken Shah, Rohit Sharma, Bhavin Thakkar, Vinayak Samant (wicket-keeper), Abhishek Nair, Wilkin Mota, Nilesh Kulkarni, Iqbal Abdulla, Swapnil Hazare, Prashant Naik, Rajesh Verma, Kshemal Waingankar. Coach: Pravin Amre.

Baroda: Jacob Martin (captain), Connor Williams, Shekhar Joshi, Ketan Panchal, Ajit Bhoite, Rishikesh Parab, Satyajit Parab, Rakesh Patel, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Rajesh Pawar, Pinal Shah (wicket-keeper), Rakesh Solanki, Murtuza Vahora, Sankalp Vohra. Coach: Ashok Mankad.

Umpires: S. Dandapani and S. Tarapore.

Match referee: Manu Nayyar.

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