MUMBAI: Flying high after three straight wins, including two bonus-point wins, Mumbai, currently leading Elite Group B with 20 points, are eager for their return to the Wankhede Stadium. They will face Uttar Pradesh in their first Ranji Trophy game at their traditional home in nearly four years, starting Friday.
This is Mumbai's first Ranji Trophy match at the Wankhede since they played against Madhya Pradesh (the game was drawn) at the venue in February 2020, just before the onset of Covid.
Obviously, the players are relishing the prospect of playing at the team's true 'home ground' after a long gap. "It's very nice to be back home at Wankhede. This is our home ground...the outfield, the practice facilities are top-class here," pacer Dhawal Kulkarni said on Thursday.
The last time Mumbai met UP in the Ranji Trophy was in the semifinals in June 2022. Yashasvi Jaiswal's century in each innings helped Mumbai beat UP on the basis of a first innings lead. Mumbai and UP last locked horns at the Wankhede in January 2020, where Sarfaraz Khan's triple century (301*) propelled Mumbai past UP's mammoth 625-8 declared.
UP, currently tied for fourth in Elite Group B after three draws, will be without the explosive Rinku Singh, who was called up to India A as a replacement for Rajat Patidar in their ongoing series against the England Lions.
Focus on Avasthi
With national selector & former India pacer Subroto Banerjee flying down to watch the match, which will be Mumbai's first game to be telecast live this Ranji season, focus will be on Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi, who has taken 16 wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 11.87, hauls of 6-27 against Bihar at Patna and 7-57 against Kerala at Thumba.
Praising Avasthi's fine bowling this season, Kulkarni said, "He's sharp, bowls a good inswinger and hits the deck at good pace. He's confident. He's carried forward his experience of playing in the Ranji in the last two seasons.
"In Kerala, there was nothing on that wicket. So, for him to put his hand up and take was huge in us skittling them out from 221 for four to 244 all out and taking a seven-run lead. He needs to continue this kind of form till the (Ranji Trophy) final, so that he can be in national reckoning. It's only when Mumbai wins the Ranji Trophy that the can players play at a higher level."
