The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Karnataka not taking HP lightly

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Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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Karnataka not taking HP lightly

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Only the points seem to be on level terms as Karnataka takes on Himachal Pradesh (HP) in the second round of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group ‘A’ fixture beginning at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday. Both teams go into the match with a point each, having conceded the first innings lead to Mumbai and Saurashtra, respectively.

Formidable team

A full strength Karnataka side is any coach’s dream and barring Robin Uthappa the rest are all here.

Captain Anil Kumble missed the nets to attend the meeting with the National selectors to choose the Indian team for the first two Tests against Pakistan. Kumble, a rhythm bowler has opted to play this match too, to get some match fitness.

Rahul Dravid too had a prolonged session at the nets on Wednesday morning with his son Samit watching from the stands.

“We should in all probability play the same eleven as against Mumbai, last week,” said Vijay Bharadwaj, the Karnataka coach and former India batsman. “There is no underestimating the opposition. If they (HP) have reached thus far having topped the Plate League last season, it’s with some good performance. Moreover Karnataka has to perform to put it across any opposition,” the coach added.

With regard to the pitch, Bharadwaj was sceptical. “It’s a new strip and much cannot be read into it,” he said.

Sandeep Sharma, the HP skipper, sounded optimistic. “We have a good young side and a good performance against Karnataka would boost the team up,” Sandeep felt.

Challenge

“Bowling to Dravid and the rest would be a challenge and a good showing would go a long way. Against Saurashtra we had the chance to take the first innings lead but after being 131 for one, we collapsed. We would not want that to happen again and there are some exciting prospects waiting to break into the top league,” Sandeep said.

“Most importantly we have been playing as a well-knit side for almost three years now and the confidence level is high,” said Sandeep.

“We will not disappoint you,” he promised.

The teams (from): Karnataka: Anil Kumble (Capt.), Rahul Dravid, Barrington Rowland, K.B. Pawan, Yere Goud (Vice-Capt.), C. Raghu, Thilak Naidu (wk), B. Akhil, Sunil Joshi, R. Vinay Kumar, N.C. Aiyappa, Sudhindra Shinde, Devraj Patil, K.P. Appanna and S. Dhananjaya.

Coach: Vijay Bharadwaj.

Himachal Pradesh: Sandeep Sharma (Capt), Munish Gupta, Sangram Singh, Manvindra Vishla (wk), Paras Dogra, Ajay Mannu, Mukesh, Vishal Bhalia, Sarandeep Singh, Vikramjit Malik, Ashok Thakur, Varun Mishra, Barun Sharma, Jitender Mehta and Mahinder.

Coach: Rajdeep Kalsi.

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