The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata is buzzing with anticipation as Bengal gears up to host a challenging Ranji Trophy Group-C encounter against a strong Gujarat team this Saturday. Buoyed by their hard-fought six points from the season opener against Uttarakhand, Bengal is eager to extend their winning momentum on home turf.
Key personnel: Bengal’s hopes rest on the shoulders of pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Shami, expected to thrive on a pitch offering good carry. (Photo Credit: PTI)
The home side is poised to deploy its formidable four-pronged pace attack, a strategy that proved successful in their previous outing. Spearheading this potent lineup will be the experienced Mohammed Shami and the promising Akash Deep. The return of spin-bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, now fit after an injury layoff, will undoubtedly bolster the squad’s balance and depth.
Mohammed Shami, a key player for Bengal, appealing during a previous Ranji Trophy match at Eden Gardens. (Photo Credit: PTI)
Shami’s return to form has been a massive boost for Bengal, highlighted by his match-winning seven-wicket haul in nearly 40 overs during the opening game. He’ll be looking to build on that impressive performance, aiming for even better figures to bolster his case for a recall to the national squad.
Akash Deep, a bright prospect, will be keen to deliver a standout performance. Both he and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran are set to join India-A for a series against South Africa-A during Bengal’s third round match, making this a crucial opportunity for Akash to impress selectors for a potential call-up to the main South Africa series.
Fellow pacers Ishan Porel and Suraj Jaiswal will also be crucial, aiming to exploit the conditions which are expected to offer good bounce and carry, perfectly suited for fast bowling.
Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran acknowledged the ‘good headache’ of having a strong pace battery, emphasizing the need to consider match-ups and pitch behavior when rotating their fast bowlers.
Beyond the solid form of Abhimanyu himself, Bengal’s batting lineup boasts experienced names like Sudip Chatterjee and Sumanta Gupta, alongside promising talents such as Anustup Majumdar, Abishek Porel, and the returning Shahbaz Ahmed, ensuring a robust batting display.
Meanwhile, Gujarat arrives with their own impressive form, particularly with their strong batting lineup, which played a pivotal role in securing three points against Assam. Century-maker Aarya Desai and Abhishek Desai, who forged an outstanding 200-plus opening partnership, alongside Urvil Patel, Manan Hingrajia, and Jaymeet Patel, form a deep and reliable batting order.
Aarya Desai is expected to play a crucial role for Gujarat, especially after his magnificent century in the opening game against Assam. (Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR)
Their bowling attack will rely heavily on the pace of Arzan Nagwaswalla and the spin wizardry of Ravi Bishnoi, both expected to be key wicket-taking options for the visitors.
As the excitement builds, both teams will be fervently hoping that the looming rain forecast holds off, allowing for a full and uninterrupted contest.