JAIPUR: Riding on a wave of success both Rajasthan and Vidarbha are hoping to continue the winning momentum when they clash against each other in the crucial Ranji Trophy match which gets underway at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday.
Vidarbha are on top of the Elite Group A standings with 19 points to their credit and poised to make the knock-out phase if they maintain their present form.
On the other hand, Rajasthan are lying in the third spot in the eight-team group. The hosts are banking on the home advantage to complete a hat-trick of wins.
After defeating formidable Maharashtra and Manipur in their last two outings, Rajasthan are confident of putting up another good show to topple group toppers.
The fifth match of the season is very important for both the sides and will decide their fortunes as far as qualification is concerned.
Rajasthan did not have the best of starts to the season. Their first match against Haryana was spoiled by bad weather. The Deepak Hooda-led outfit fared poorly and conceded an innings lead against Services.
However, they bounced back by surprising Maharashtra at Jodhpur last month to put their campaign on the right track. Crushing minnows Manipur in their fourth outing in Ahmedabad pushed them up in the standings with 15 points. Haryana are second in the group with 17 points.
Two-time champions Vidarbha are getting better as the season progresses. Demolishing Jharkhand in their own backyard in Ranchi in the previous tie proved that they are a team to beat this season.
Both teams had a grueling net session on Thursday at the RCA Academy ground before going to the main venue for the fielding drills.
Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani believed it would be a competitive match between perhaps the two best teams in the group.
“It will be a tough match because Rajasthan have been doing well this season and they also have a home advantage. We are confident that we will be able to continue our splendid show of the last few matches. The pitch looks good and might give both bowlers and batter the same advantage,” said Ghani while talking to reporters after the practice session.
The former Vidarbha Ranji captain Ghani informed that injured Faiz Fazal won’t play at least a couple of matches. Umesh Yadav joined the squad late on Thursday and will play the match.
