KOLKATA: Bengal bowlers have their task cut out against Baroda batters, who have been scoring runs in buckets this season, when they meet in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘A’ match at the Bengal Cricket Academy (BCA) ground in Kalyani from Tuesday.
Almost all the top five Baroda batters have aggregated around 300 runs in the four matches so far which speaks volumes of the form they are in. The Australian Dav Whatmore coached side has also put up more than 600 runs twice in this Ranji season. However, of the four games, they have played three at home and Bengal will thus look to take home advantage against them.
The hosts are boosted by the return of pacer Mukesh Kumar, who was with the India T20I squad and thus missed the earlier matches. Mukesh’s great show for India ‘A’ earned the pacer an IPL berth too when Delhi Capitals signed him for Rs 5.5 crore. Bengal are likely to go in with a three-pacer attack on a greenish wicket that is likely to seam on Day I and II.
Mukesh will get company from Ishan Porel and Akash Deep with all-rounder Sayan Sekhar Mondol is also likely to come into play later in the innings. However, Mondol will not open like in the previous match with Abhishek Das set to make a comeback and partner Abhimanyu Easwaran at the top. Shahbaz Ahmed will remain Bengal’s only specialist spinning option.
Skipper Manoj Tiwary will not hesitate to put the rivals in if he wins the toss on Tuesday. However, the onus will be on in-form Easwaran and one-down Sudip Gharami to negotiate the Baroda attack in case Bengal get to bat first.
Both Easwaran and Gharami have developed a good rapport putting up big partnerships this season. The middle-order stability will be provided by Tiwary and veteran Anushtup Majumder while Shahbaz and wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel will ensure Bengal bat deep.
The hosts with two wins this season so far have taken a handy six-point lead over third-placed Baroda, who are on 13 points. Coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla will look to strengthen the side’s chance to make the knockouts by climbing up the table with another victory.
