After three rounds of Ranji Trophy matches this season, Assam are languishing at the bottom of Group D with just a point in their kitty. Hence, any hopes of qualification for the knockouts will require the Denish Das-led team to get their act together when Tamil Nadu come calling in their fourth fixture in Guwahati, starting Wednesday.
While the hosts lost their last two matches against Delhi and Chandigarh respectively, their only point is courtesy a hard-fought draw against Jharkhand.
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu clinched a spot in third position on the group table after allrounder Vijay Shankar’s 10th first-class century earned them a crucial draw against Chhattisgarh in their third-round encounter.
With it, the Sai Kishore-led visitors to Guwahati now have 11 points, with Railways and Chandigarh the two teams placed above them.
In absence of India international Riyan Parag, who is currently undergoing treatment at BCCI Centre of Excellence for a chronic injury to his right shoulder, the home team will have their task cut out against their heavyweights opponents in this round.
Making up for Parag’s absence in the squad is Sumit Ghadigaonkar who held fort for Assam in both innings against Delhi, despite his 162 in first innings and an unbeaten 76 in the second going in vain.
The 32-year-old is originally from Mumbai and has plied his trade as an overseas professional in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket in the 2019-20 season.
His foray into Indian domestic cricket came as late as last season when the Reserve Bank of India employee began playing for Assam, where he has been based for the last two years for his job.
His presence has proved to be a boon for Assam this season, although he has failed to get his teammates’ support to turn his knocks into victories for his team. But with time running out and Tamil Nadu knocking on their doors, Ghadigaonkar and Assam will hope to change that in the crucial fourth round.
