Baroda on roll as young guns fire

VADODARA: Young guns of Baroda cricket are firing on all cylinders. The team's crucial victory over Punjab came through the brilliance of the youngsters who made light of the absence of some key players.
Compelled to play without senior players Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel, Baroda were under lot of pressure in their last Ranji tie against Punjab.But, the younger members of the side rose to the occasion and Baroda defeated Punjab by an innings and 55 runs.
Of the playing eleven, seven were greenhorns, with four of them having played less than 10 first-class matches. However, batsmen Kedar Devdhar and Jaikishan Kolsawala and spinner Bhargav Bhatt have led the pack of youngsters well this season. Both Devdhar and Kolsawala played with lot of heart and got half centuries at crucial moments. And, Bhatt spun the ball well to trap opposition in his web.
Devdhar, who made his first-class debut against Maharashtra in Pune last season, has played just four first-class matches till date. And, he has already struck two half-centuries, one of which came in his debut match. The way he batted against an experienced Uttar Pradesh attack at Motibaug this season showcased his cricketing abilities and a positive attitude. Kolsawala has also turned out to be another big find for Baroda that has been struggling to fill the opening slot for the last couple of seasons. Kolsawala made his Ranji debut against Orissa this season and has scored 190 runs from four matches.
Kolsawala gave the team good starts by scoring 58 against UP and 43 against Punjab. "The performances this season have been very important as our youngsters have been doing well. Despite having little experience at this level, our young players have put up a good show. They have performed when it mattered most and it is an achievement of sorts that we got two outright victories despite having a young and inexperienced side," said Baroda coach Mukesh Narula
Baroda also found a skilled bowler in form of left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt who bagged 10 wickets against Haryana this season. Bhatt bowled with lot of courage and accuracy to trouble the rivals and, with experience he can go a long way, feel BCA officials. Among pacers, Murtuza Vahora (13 first-class matches, 29 wickets) and Sankalp Vohra (five matches, 13 wickets) have bowled well in absence of Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan. Sankalp has the ability to play a cameo with bat at the lower order.
"Considering their inexperience, Kedar and Kolsawala have batted really well this season. It feels good when young players perform well as they are the future of the team," Yusuf Pathan had told TOI during Ranji tie against UP.
tushar.tere@timesgroup.com