The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Crucial match for Tamil Nadu

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Monday, Dec 17, 2007
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Crucial match for Tamil Nadu

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Tamil Nadu meets Rajasthan in a crucial Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy Super League match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium from Monday.

The host is fifth in the table with 12 points from five matches while Rajasthan (three from five) is at the bottom.

Given that Tamil Nadu is within reach of leader Delhi (17 points), Maharashtra (15), Mumbai (15) and Sourashtra (15) with two more rounds remaining, the match holds much significance for the other sides as well.

This will be the third successive Ranji duel on a dry bald pitch with definite footmarks for the off-spinner.

There could be appreciable help for the spinners from the third day.

According to Tamil Nadu coach W.V. Raman, lack of time between matches and the threat of rain (the square was covered for most part) prevented the curator from preparing a better looking surface.

But then, such a surface, if the host bats first, should suit Tamil Nadu’s interests as it seeks an outright victory. Rajasthan would be no push-over though.

The visitor is without pace spearhead Pankaj Singh, drafted into the Indian squad for Australia, but coach Bhaskar Pillai remains confident. There is ability in the side.

The young team, chasing 384, lost to holder Mumbai by just three runs in a thriller at Jhalwar. Batsmen Vineet Saxena, Nikhil Doru and Robin Bist have shown promise. Sumit Mathur has possibilities as a paceman.

Pillai believes the youngsters are settling down. “The facilities in Jaipur are excellent,” he says.

Chappell’s tips

Former India coach Greg Chappell spent three days with the Rajasthan side and it definitely helped.

Chappell is presently spotting and nurturing talent in the 16-18 age-group in the State.

For Tamil Nadu, young left-handed opener Abhinav Mukund missed his third century in successive Ranji matches since debut by a whisker.

He has added solidity to the top order. Skipper Badrinath is among big runs. Raman is impressed with the improvement shown by pacemen Yo. Mahesh and R. Amarnath. All-rounder R. Naresh is a left-arm pace option.

Left-arm spinners R. Ramkumar and C. Suresh have picked vital wickets. Off-spinning all-rounder S. Suresh Kumar has filled in well for the injured R. Aswin. The stage is set for an intriguing duel.

The teams:

Tamil Nadu (from): S. Badrinath (captain), M. Vijay, A. Mukund, R. Srinivasan, K.Shree Vasudeva Das, K.H. Gopinath (wk), R. Ramkumar, S. Suresh Kumar, C. Suresh, V. Yomahesh, P. Amarnath, R. Prasanna, R. Naresh, E. Suresh, C. Ganapathy. Coach: W.V. Raman.

Rajasthan (from): R. Jhalani (captain), R. Bishnoi, V. Saxena, N. Doru, R. Bist, A. Sharma, S. Gehlot, N. Gehlot, S. Singh, S. Mathur, N. Singh, M. Khatri, S. Vijay, S. Sharma. Coach: Bhaskar Pillai.

Umpires: A.Y. Dandekar & Dr. M.S. Mahal. Match Referee: Vinod Dhamaskar.

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