NAGPUR: Faiz Fazal showcased how influential he is with the bat when he achieved a milestone of scoring a century each in both the innings against Railways in the last match. His centuries were one of the prime reasons Vidarbha started their campaign with a massive win.
The skipper will look to continue from where he has left when he plays his landmark match - 100th Ranji Trophy match for Vidarbha - on Tuesday, against Tripura at Civil Lines ground.
The 37-year-old will look for another good day in the office with the bat and a win for Vidarbha to make the landmark occasion more special.
Playing for Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy, Faiz has scored 7461 runs in 99 matches. He has maintained an average of 46.63. He has 22 centuries and 31 half-centuries under his belt with 206 being his highest score. Behind Faiz, Pritam Gandhe has played 85 Ranji games or so for Vidarbha.
Playing on the red-soil pitch, Vidarbha generally go with an extra spinner in their line-up. However, sudden change of weather can force them to think otherwise. If they opt for the third spinner, left-arm orthodox Harsh Dubey would get a look in.
Though Tripura had a good start by also taking first innings lead against Gujarat, they would be aware of how lethal Faiz-led Vidarbha side is at home. Vidarbha are firing on all guns with Akshay Wadkar, Akshay Wakhare and Aditya Sarwate in impressive touch
Vidarbha have never lost to Tripura in the Ranji Trophy. In the eight meetings so far between the two teams, Vidarbha have posted outright victories on five occasions and registered first-innings lead twice. Only once have Tripura managed first innings lead in a tame draw in 2003-04 in Agartala.
Since his First Class debut in 2003, Faiz will lead the side in the 42nd match.
