Mainstay: Mayank will play an enormous function as Karnataka depends on its batting to counter the spin trial it’s seemingly to face.
| Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
In the age of Twenty 20 and franchise cricket, the Ranji Trophy may not get the identical consideration it deserves as the nation’s premier home match.
But once in a while, there’s a buzz surrounding a Ranji encounter. On Friday, previous rivalries will be renewed when Tamil Nadu takes on Karnataka in the penultimate match of Elite Group-C right here on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
The stakes can’t be greater for each side, as whoever comes out forward on the finish of this encounter will really feel they’ve a foot in the knock-outs.
The neighbours are evenly matched with contrasting strengths and are tied on prime of the group, having 21 factors, with the hosts forward on run quotient and two bonus factors.
With the wind behind its sails after three consecutive outright wins, Tamil Nadu will look to financial institution on its spin power once more on a red-soil pitch at Chepauk. The staff’s top-order, led by N. Jagadeesan, Pradosh Ranjan Paul and B. Indrajith, is in good contact whereas left-arm spinners R. Sai Kishore and S. Ajith Ram have bowled the staff to victories with ready help from pacer Sandeep Warrier.
Battle-hardened
Meanwhile, Karnataka is battle-hardened after prevailing over Tripura and Railways in its final two matches, which have been nail-biters. However, with an inexperienced spin assault, the guests should depend on its tempo bowling power and stable batting depth to come out on prime in spin-friendly situations.
Boost
The staff acquired a lift with the return of the in-form Devdutt Padikkal and skipper Mayank Agarwal. The latter has recovered from a freakish incident when he by chance consumed poisonous liquid that he mistook for water on a flight and missed the earlier recreation towards Railways.
The final time the 2 sides met in the Ranji Trophy, Karnataka acquired the higher of TN in Dindigul by 26 runs in a match that noticed fortunes swinging wildly till the final session on the ultimate day.
An analogous recreation would be befitting of a clash of the table-toppers.
