The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Hyderabad takes on Himachal

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Hyderabad takes on Himachal

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: From the slam-bang of T20, the scene will shift to the sedate version when Himachal Pradesh takes on Hyderabad in their lung-opener of the Ranji Trophy.

The Gymkhana Grounds, home of Hyderabad cricket until the move to the Rajiv Gandhi international stadium, will serve as the stage for the four-day tie that kicks off on Tuesday.

Even if the nation’s premier domestic championship hasn’t got its due, it’s actually been the crucible that’s seen many a cricketer’s career take wing.

The home side seems formidable with former Indian Cricket League (ICL) players returning to the fold. “After skipper V.V.S. Laxman, Ambati Rayudu will be our best bet,” said Hyderabad coach Venkatapathi Raju on the eve of the contest.

Admitting its batting looked better, he said the bowling would be bolstered by speedsters Alfred Absolom and M.P. Arjun, besides Pragyan Ojha.

Looking back on the last season, he said Hyderabad had done well to stay afloat in the super league, but needed to look further this time.

“The team’s transition following the return of the ICL players was not easy, but we’ve done well,” said the former Test spinner.

Asked if Hyderabad with so many Deccan Chargers players in its ranks looked strong, he said the switch from the four-day format to T20 would have been easier rather than vice-versa.

He, however, hoped the side delivered, backed by impressive performances in the KSCA and Buchi Babu tournaments. “Noel David has done a great job with the fielding and we wish to see preparation translated into performance,” he said.

Of the opposition, he said they’d be motivated better to do well against a bigger team and the host couldn’t afford to relax. Of the other sides in the group, he said good displays against title-holder Mumbai, former champion Railways and Tamil Nadu would take players to the next level — the Duleep Trophy.

Of Ojha’s prospects, he felt the tweaker would come back strongly, which would not only boost his confidence but cement his place at the highest levels.

The teams (from): Hyderabad: V.V.S. Laxman (captain), N. Arjun Yadav (vice-captain), T. Suman, Abhinav Kumar, Ambati Rayudu, Anoop Pai, Ibrahim Khaleel (wicket-keeper), Pragyan Ojha, M.P. Arjun, Ashwin Yadav, Alfred Absolom, Anirudh Singh, D.B. Ravi Teja, Abdul Khader and Ahmed Quadri. Coach: L. Venkatapathi Raju.

Himachal Pradesh: Ashok Thakur (captain), Ravikant Saini (wicket-keeper), Abhinav Bali, Vishal Bhatia, Kuldeep Diwan, Paras Dogra, V.A. Indulkar, Vikramjeet Malik, Ajay Mannu, Jitender Mehta, Mohinder Sharma, Mukesh Sharma, Sangram Singh, Sarandeep Singh and Bhavin Thakkar.

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