JAIPUR: All set for the red ball grind after two years, Ashok Menaria-led
Rajasthan will take on Andhra in their opening Elite Group E match of the
Ranji Trophy 2021-22 at St'Xavier's
KCA Cricket Ground
in Trivandrum on Thursday.
Having played only white-ball cricket in the last 24 months,
Menaria
said it is going to be a challenge when the teams will be out to play the longer format. "Four-day cricket definitely poses bigger challenges, but in the past during Team Rajasthan days we have been involved in similar situations where we have played matches with literally minimal practice. So I feel we are equipped to deal with situations like these. And then this time because of Covid-19, every team is on the same page," said the Rajasthan captain.
Rajasthan's fast bowling unit has been their strength over the last many years, but of late, the spin department too has looked equally powerful. This is a big positive given that the team will play the league games in Trivandrum, where the wicket is expected to turn. "Now, our fast bowling unit and spin department are equally matched.
Ravi Bishnoi
, Rahul Chahar, Shubham Sharma and Manav Suthar are very good spinners who can win games for us. Yes, Ravi and Rahul are not currently available for the domestic tournament, but the other two guys are there to do the job," added the 31-year-old skipper.
Having dropped from the team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, batsmen Yash Kothari and Aditya Garhwal are back in the squad, along with veteran Rajesh Bishnoi (sr). Meanwhile, the highest scorer for Rajasthan in the one-dayers, Abhijeet Tomar's name is missing. Talking about the team, Menaria said, "Abhijeet definitely did well, but owing to fitness issues he could not make it this time. As far as other players are concerned, in Ranji Trophy you need to have experienced players and if you remember, the last time when we played a match in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy in Kerala, it was the senior guy Rajesh and Yash who played a big role in our win over the hosts. So they are important players to have in the longer format."
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