NAGPUR: Spinners have played a prominent role in Vidarbha's success in the Ranji Trophy. The spin department has time and again turned around multi-day matches with their perfect execution. Now, they are showing similar intensity in T20s this season.
Whenever Vidarbha have been under pressure, spinners have shown the way in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Vidarbha's journey, especially in must-win games, has been dictated by their spinners. Their effort has been complemented by pacers Umesh Yadav and Yash Thakur.
Vidarbha would need a similar bowling show when they take on Mumbai in the semifinals at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday.
Mumbai has some big names - Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan - in their arsenal to challenge Vidarbha bowlers.
Though Mumbai look stronger on paper, they will be dealing with a Vidarbha confident spin attack, who inspired the thrilling victory over star-studded Delhi in the quarters on Tuesday. The trio of Aditya Sarwate, Akshay Karnewar and Harsh Dubey (Impact Player) conceded just 54 in 9 overs and made a match out of it.
They were on the money in pre-quarters against Chhattisgarh when Karnewar, Sarwate, and Akshay Wakhare gave away just 30 runs in 9 overs. Earlier, in a must-win game against Railways, the three conceded 48 in 8 overs. All these games were played under high pressure. In the league stage, Vidarbha spinners had done well against Mumbai too but the latter won.
In the pacers, Yash is oozing with confidence. He has helped Vidarbha win two last-over thrillers in this tournament. He would look for another good day in the office.
Mumbai are aware of Vidarbha's spin prowess and they would look for a flying start from Shaw, who had a great start to the tournament but is not getting the start Mumbai wants now. It will be interesting to see how Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer deal with the Vidarbha attack.
