Suryakumar’s addition further strengthens the Mumbai batting.
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
Haryana and Mumbai don’t often face each other in a Ranji Trophy fixture — the last time they did, it was Sachin Tendulkar’s final domestic match in 2013-14.
On Saturday, the fixture returns after over a decade, and the last-minute venue change has already given the quarterfinal its first twist; given how the teams stack up, it won’t be the last.
A shift from Rohtak’s Chaudhry Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium to the Eden Gardens in Kolkata slims down host Haryana’s advantage, boosting the defending champion’s claim for yet another semifinal spot.
However, Ajinkya Rahane’s team has struggled with batting collapses this season, often relying on the lower middle order — Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Shardul Thakur — to stabilise the innings.
While the trio has done its job, it would require heavy efforts from the top order to put pressure back on bowlers. Ayush Mhatre and Siddhesh Lad are in good touch this season. While the 17-year-old Mhatre has scored 413 runs, Lad has amassed 518 runs batting in the middle order.
With Rahane being the glue of the line-up, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube’s addition further strengths the batting.
Haryana would bank on pacer Anshul Kambhoj who leads the bowling attack with 29 wickets at an average of 11.76. In the last two games, he has found support in Anuj Thakral who has scalped 16.
Nishant Sindhu has worked well under the experienced Jayant Yadav, adding value with his left-arm spin, picking up 16 wickets, and scoring 333 runs batting in the middle order. Ankit and Himanshu Rana’s presence solidifies the top order.
Haryana will face Shardul, who has been threatening with the new ball. However, it will be Mumbai’s spin trio of Mulani, Kotian, and Himanshu Singh that will pose a challenge for the batters.
Published – February 07, 2025 08:20 pm IST
