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Gaurang's Ranji Final Preview

Don

By Don
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Don

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Less than twenty four hours from now on Friday the 2nd of February, England take on the Australians in an ODI in Sydney and South Africa take on Pakistan in an ODI in Johannesburg, but the most anticipated and possibly the most watched match that day will be the clash between Mumbai and Bengal for the Championship match of the Ranji Trophy. With Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly scheduled to play for Mumbai and Bengal respectively, the largest global TV audience for cricket is likely to be watching that match. For a change the BCCI has got its timing right, and scheduled the match when India has no international commitments and are not touring. Additionally, chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar?s not so subtle hints to current Team India stars that it would behoove them to make themselves available for this match has meant both the finalists are at full strength. For Mumbai in particular this has created almost an embarrassing wealth of resources. Four international players, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Ramesh Powar, and Zaheer Khan are set to join recent international Wasim Jaffer in the Mumbai squad. Bengal will be bolstered by the presence of its one and only current international player, the ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly. What is also interesting is that the internationals will play under the captainship of the regular captains of their side, Amol Mazumdar for Mumbai and Deep Dasgupta for Bengal. This a refreshing change from the old days when the visiting international player often was made captain too, even just for a match. Historically the clash between Mumbai and Bengal has been a mismatch. Mumbai is seeking their 37th win in the 72nd edition of India?s Domestic Championship, while Bengal have only won the Championship once, that too way back in 1938-39 against South Punjab. Mumbai and Bengal have met five previous times for the Championship and on all five occasions, starting with the 1953-54 Championship game and most recently in the 1993-94 Championship game, Mumbai has won. This will be Bengal?s sixth attempt to defeat Mumbai in a Championship finals. In addition to the historical mismatch, all current signs also point to Mumbai being overwhelming favorites. First of all the match is to be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Mumbai side is likely to have 6 current or ex-internationals if one includes the veteran slow left arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni, who has played a Test match versus Steve Waugh?s Australians. In addition Mumbai have in Amol Mazumdar and Rohit Sharma, two other players of near international class at two opposite ends of their respective careers. Mazumdar is over thirty years of age and is unlikely to play for India, though he was hailed as a successor to Tendulkar when he first burst on the scene. Sharma is under twenty years of age and the most recent to be burdened with that same comparison to the peerless Tendulkar. Sharma?s 460 runs this season, second only to Mazumdar?s 470 runs, shows how vital both these players are to the team. No less vital will be the all round brilliance of Abhishek Nair who is leading Mumbai?s batting and bowling averages, with 311 runs at just over 62 runs per innings and 13 wickets at just under 14 runs each in four matches. Bengal who only have 3 current or ex-international players, including the long ago discarded Deep Dasgupta, the wicket keeper and captain, and Rohan Gavaskar, who had his moments in the sun playing for India, do however have a few things in their favor. In their league clash this season Bengal dominated Mumbai. They scored a massive 578 and forced Mumbai to follow-on, though Mumbai escaped with a draw. Additionally Bengal have in their ranks Manoj Tiwary whose 660 runs this season at an average of 110 runs per innings is well ahead of any Mumbai batsman?s tally. Similarly Bengal speedster Ranadeb Bose has scalped 48 victims this season at little over 13 runs per wicket, which is double the number of wickets than Mumbai?s leading wicket taker this season, the veteran Nilesh Kulkarni, who has 24 at a shade over 20 runs each. Another intangible is the fact that Bengal have the only player on either side who has played in a Mumbai v. Bengal final before. Sourav Ganguly scored 40 and 88 in a losing cause in a low scoring match in 1993-94. The other advantage Bengal have is that this is their second consecutive appearance in the finals. Last year they lost narrowly against eventual champions Uttar Pradesh, and according to their coach, Paras Mhambrey, Bengal have learnt lessons from that experience and are more prepared and confident this time around. Whatever the outcome, this five day championship is likely to be as absorbing as any international match. The BCCI is also slowly coming to a realization that with proper positioning and marketing, and with the presence of India?s superstar cricketers in the squads, the domestic championship has the potential to make money, but more importantly to contribute tremendously to the growth and development of the players who will get to rub shoulders with, and test themselves against, stalwarts like Tendulkar, Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, etc. Happily the match is slated to be shown via the internet to subscribers of Dish Network?s India v. Windies and Sri Lanka package. I for one can?t wait to see this match live on Friday, when it will certainly be Game On! ** As birbal does post here I assume he wont mind me posting his article on here as wont ravi and other mods.

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Don Newbie

Don

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Re: Gaurang's Ranji Final Preview Really really excited about this finals. As a Indian cricket fan its jus gonna be pleasure all round. Can Tedulkar smash a ton and seal it for Mumbai can Ganguly upset the odds and lead Bengal to their 2nd ever Ranji Title! Aah cant wait to see it.

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Chandan Newbie

Chandan

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Re: Gaurang's Ranji Final Preview

i am excited about this match. hopefully they`ve prepared a sporting track. can anyone tell me which channel will telecast the match in india ? (hopefully not DD sports )
Yes, apparantly a bouncy track with a tinge of green has been prepared. Match is live on Neo Sports!
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Dhondy Newbie

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Re: Gaurang's Ranji Final Preview Only Gaurang could have written that. Some people have a deep love for the game, others have an encyclopaedic knowledge of it, being interested in records and trivia, but only a few people are blessed with both. Gaurang is from that rare breed. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

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chanakya Newbie

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Re: Gaurang's Ranji Final Preview Ill be backing Bengal especially if they get to bowl first. Especially Ranadeb Bose on a green track is a handful. They did get Karnataka out for 89 in the first innings in Eden :D. But with zaheer in the Mumbai team Mumbai clear favourites. Watch out Ganguly the inswinging yorker :lmao:

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