Lomror sees edge in new home for Ranji Trophy

Jaipur: Rajasthan team has set up camp at the brand-new Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Nathdwara, a month-long preparation for the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season that captain Mahipal Lomror believes could redefine their domestic campaign. With a lean squad of 24 players training since Sept 4, the move from Jaipur's outdated setup at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS) to this modern facility is a strategic shift, offering cutting-edge infrastructure and versatile wickets to sharpen their edge.Lomror, speaking with TOI, highlighted the streamlined approach. "The preparation this year is different because the group of boys selected for the camp is small, and it will make our job easier in selecting the team," he said."It's ideal as we have all come together a month before the tournament. We planned this keeping in mind it's new ground for us, so we should know how the wicket would behave. Acclimatization is important."Nathdwara is set to host three out of four home games of Rajasthan in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, scheduled to begin from Oct 15.Lomror emphasised the cricketing upside. "It's a freshly built stadium with modern technology. The SMS, given it's quite old, lacks modernity. Both in terms of infrastructure and technology, it's lagging. For instance, you can look at the dressing rooms there," he said.Unlike SMS, where wickets needed relaying every four-five years, Nathdwara's fresh pitches offer flexibility, pointed out the 25-year-old southpaw, who is likely to be appointed as captain once again for the domestic season 2025-26."Here we have black soil, red soil and mixed soil wickets. If we want, we can practice on a turning track as well. Since they are freshly laid wickets, you can prepare them the way you wish to. It's a good thing, I feel."Lomror believes now they have better chances of outright wins and can use home conditions better. It's a lifeline for a squad light on experience. "There are so many new guys coming in who don't have experience of playing Ranji Trophy and these conditions will help them improve their game," he noted."If I talk about batting, I don't think apart from Deepak Hooda and me, there are guys with more than 15 Ranji games under their belt."The availability of diverse tracks also prepare the team for away games in Elite Group D, facing tough opponents like Mumbai, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh."The variety at our new home will help us prepare better for away games as well," he said.Currently, Rajasthan is testing the Nathdwara wickets with two four-day practice games against Punjab, the first concluded on Wednesday.