Punjab back in reckonings this Ranji season courtesy young guns

CHANDIGARH: The start has been nothing short of a cataclysmic catastrophe for Team Punjab in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The team was staring down the barrel after two matches with just one point and lying as low as sixth (among 7 teams) in Group D, but a couple of outright victories against Goa and Chhattisgarh have rejuvenated the team pushing it to the top of the points table.
Punjab coach Ajay Ratra believes that everything is history now and the next match against the Manoj Tiwari-led Bengal side will test the mettle of his team. Punjab face Bengal from November 17 at the Gandhi Sports Complex, Amritsar.
Young guns blazing
If one has a look at statistics, then the contributions of the rookies cannot be overlooked. Ratra has every reason to be happy as the youngsters have risen to the occasion helping the team win two back-to-back away matches against Goa and Chhattisgarh. More than the wins, the emphatic margin by which Punjab romped home should be attributed to the youth power in the team.
The start to the season jolted the hopes of state cricket lovers and most blamed it on lack of preparations that affected the team’s show. After conceding a first innings lead to Himachal Pradesh at Dharmshala and facing humiliation of an innings defeat at the hands of Vidarbha with half a dozen seasoned campaigners in the squad — Yuvraj Singh, Mayank Sidhawana, Sandeep Sharma and Manan Vohra - sitting out of the rubber, the Punjabis were in an understandably sombre mood.
However, things took a U turn with youngsters like Anmoolpreet Singh, Abhishek Gupta, Raghu Sharma and Vinay Choudhary steering Punjab out of crisis.
The youngsters and relatively ‘veterans’ — Jiwanjot Singh and Gurkeerat Mann, took upon themselves to change their side’s fortunes. And they had the last laugh with two emphatic victories.
Over to experts
Punjab cricket stalwarts Gursharan Singh, Bhupinder Singh Sr and Bharti Vij are ecstatic at the turnaround after a dismal start. They held lack of preparatory camps before the season as the reason behind the disastrous beginning.
“I have never doubted the team. All these players are talented, but they didn't click together. However, as the tournament proceeded, they have come together as a unit and the result is there for all to see,” said Bhupinder Sr, former Punjab coach and ex-chief selector.
“Players are playing aggressive cricket and are complementing one another. They are not dependent entirely on one or two players," he added.
Gursharan Singh, the skipper of the Ranji Trophy winning Punjab team in the 1992-93 season echoed Bhupinder Sr's views. “Lack of preparation was the sole reason behind the team’s disastrous start. But they have responded well and all the youngsters like Anmoolpreet, Abhishek and Raghu are firing on all cylinders." said Gursharan.
Experienced players like Jiwanjot, Gurkeerat and Uday Kaul have also found their nick back. As far as the bowling is concerned Barinder Sran and Sandeep Sharma are back among the wickets,” added the former Punjab captain.
Former Punjab left-arm spinner Vij also hailed the team's away performance, especially coach Ratra's confidence in the young guns. “Ratra was handed over the baton six days before the first match. It’s true that he didn't get enough time to know his players," opined Vij, who took nine wickets in the final of Punjab's victorious Ranji campaign in 1992-93.
"But with time, Ratra got to know his team better and when a coach knows the perfect combination for his playing XI — results will be positive and that did happen," added Vij.
No place for complacency
Punjab may be on a roll, but experts are of the view that the team has to build on this momentum and cannot afford to get carried away. Vij and Ratra feel that Punjab is in a tricky group, with no favourites. The group is wide open.
“This team has a good mixture of youth and experience and we won't leave any stone unturned against Bengal for an outright victory. We would like to continue with this momentum,” said Ratra.
Cricket is a funny game and fortunes change every now and then, but if a team is brimming with confidence and positive energy, it becomes unstoppable. Wounded tigers are back in prowl with greater aggression and this bunch of Punjab cricketers who found themselves at the receiving end after the first two matches, have bounced back and this sends warning signals to their opponents.