KOLKATA: A buoyant Bengal look to tame Punjab in the
CK Nayudu Trophy
final beginning in
Patiala
from Monday. After the seniors failed to make the knockout stages of the
Ranji Trophy, all eyes will be on the Under-23 boys to bring home the trophy. The players have shown characters and have played competitive cricket throughout the season.
However, Punjab too have been one of the most consistent sides this season. Moreover they will have the home advantage while Bengal will be playing away after winning back-to-back home matches.
But Bengal will be boosted by the fact that they have beaten Punjab in the league stage match.
Coach Sourshis Lahiri sounded confident ahead of the challenge. "We have adjusted well with the conditions here and have practiced hard over the last two days," he said. The former Bengal spinner has asked the boys to take it as any other game so that they don't come under added pressure thinking too much about the summit clash.
Skipper Ritwik Roy Chowdhury has led well from the front by making useful contribution with both the ball and bat. He has been the highest run-scorer for his side too.
The wicket at Patiala looks bald and Bengal are mulling the option of going in with an extra spinner. The team will miss opener Abhimanyu Easwaran who will be playing for India 'A' against England Lions. But Lahiri is keeping faith on the other batsmen like Sudip Gharami, Kazi Junaid Saifi and Agniv Pan who have also been among runs. "We will play Sourav Paul or
Saurabh Singh in place of Easwaran," Lahiri stated.
In the bowling department too, pacer
Kanishk Seth will be missed due to an injury. But the team will look to Ananta Saha to once again lead from the front.
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