Ranji Trophy: Delhi, TN aim to redeem some pride

CHENNAI: Out of reckoning for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, both Tamil Nadu and Delhi will hope to redeem some of the pride when they face each other in a Group B game at Chepauk here on Monday. Tamil Nadu will also use the opportunity to blood a few youngsters. With the pitch expected to offer turn, left-arm spinner S Mohan Prasath is likely to make his Ranji debut. Wicketkeeper S Lokeshwar and batsman Pradosh Ranjan Paul could also be fighting for a spot in the middle-order.
TN skipper Baba Indrajith said it is the right time to test young talents."Mostly Mohan will be (playing). He doesn't spin the ball much but is very accurate. He has done well in U-23 cricket," Indrajith said on the eve of the clash. "We had a chance to qualify before, but now we are only playing for pride. This is the right time to bring the young boys in," he added.
Both Delhi and TN have endured a patchy run this season. Inconsistent performances have troubled the two sides which are placed in the bottom half of Group B. Delhi are on 13 points from 7 outings while TN are a point less from the same number of games. Delhi were also bogged down with lack of experience in this season's campaign.
Indrajith rued their ordinary showing in the last two away outings - against Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. "The last two away games were a bit of disappointment for us because we didn't put up a decent fight. We were not even in the game in those matches and played catch-up. Our batting in those games was disappointing," he said.
Delhi batsman Dhruv Shorey felt the side was in a transition phase but will take a lot out of this season. "It's a new side and short on experience. We had our bad days in batting as well as bowling but we will come back stronger from this," Shorey said.