NAGPUR: Akshay Wadkar-led T20 Vidarbha side is playing in such a tempo that no challenge is looking big enough to them this season. There are no areas that are left without any shade of form. Be it excelling with new ball in the powerplay, controlling the middle overs through spinners or contending in the death over, they have ticked all the boxes. Their batters have also produced right remedy to address every situation.
Now, they would look to take their game a notch higher to stall the juggernaut of in-form Delhi in the quarterfinals of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Nitish Rana-led Delhi's confidence is feeding on IPL regulars. They have as many as five players who have played the mega T20 tournament. Rana himself is leading from the front by being the top-wicket-taker (11 wickets) for Delhi and scoring 300+ runs. Apart from the skipper, their campaign so far has been defined by pacer Navdeep Saini and former India u-19 captain Yash Dhull (327 runs).
Vidarbha are aware of what their rivals are bringing to the table. Vidarbha think-tank is oozing with confidence as they have the likes of Umesh Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, Aditya Sarwate and Apoorv Wankhade in their arsenal to challenge Rana's men.
Vidarbha's coach Sanjeev Sharma will be hoping that his IPL regulars - batter Jitesh and Umesh - who have immense experience of playing high-pressure games and can change the game in a matter of 4 overs, will come out with their best.
The only issue that has been Vidarbha's concern is the opening pair conundrum. If in-form Athrava Taide, known for his flamboyant stroke play, bats a bit longer, it will change the scenario. Atharva is in excellent form but never had confident partner at the other end.
Now, Vidarbha have brought in senior opener R Sanjay as Atharva's partner and Sanjay clicked with 63 on his comeback match on Sunday. This opening pair can set the tone of the match if they treat Delhi pacers Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya with their timing.
