Ranji Trophy: Chandigarh coach VRV promises to hit Bihar with full might

CHANDIGARH: If they expect complacency from a debutant side that had a dream start to the Ranji Trophy campaign, Bihar are mistaken. Chandigarh head coach VRV Singh has told his team to not lower their guard against visitors in the second match starting from Tuesday.
Last week, the home team started its Ranji Trophy journey with an innings and 173-run victory over Arunachal Pradesh in the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium and look in good shape for the next fixture.A forced replacement of injured left-arm pacer Barinder Sran could be the only change in the playing XI against Bihar, as you don't tinker much with the winning combination. Leg spinner Karanveer Singh is frontrunner for replacing Sran.
On the sidelines of the team's practice session on Monday, TOI caught up with former India pacer V R V Singh for his take on the complacency factor. The head coach says his side has many experienced campaigners to bear that danger in mind. He has asked his players to build on positives gained from the last match.
'Mature heads'
He said: "Many of our players have represented other Ranji Trophy sides for a few years now. They aren't taking the game easy and will approach it in a professional manner." On the team's combination for the match, he said: "A few days of break has helped players recuperate from niggles but the support staff will have to sit with the captain to help him decide the combination."
Sran in pain
For sure, the team will miss the services of an experienced Sran, leader of Chandigarh's pace attack. Confirming his absence from the side, UT Cricket Association (UTCA) secretary D D Khanna said: "Barinder called up to say he is unable to join practice because of an aching shin. Physio hasn't checked him, so far, so we can't comment more on the injury. Karanveer is his likely replacement."
In Sran's absence, Shresth Nirmohi, star bowler of the last match, will lead the fast bowling department in the company of Jaskaran Singh. Nirmohi finished with eight wickets in the opening match, including a fifer in the first innings, city's first ever in Ranji Trophy.
Leggie's turn
The left-arm pair of Bipul Sharma and Gurinder Singh will run the spin bowling department, to which the inclusion of right-arm leg spinner Karanveer will add some variety.
The batting looks solid, as Arslan Khan, double centurion from the opening match, will open the innings with Shivam Bhambri, who hit a ton on debut. Captain Manan Vohra adds depth to the middle order with experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Uday Kaul. Left-arm spin twins Bipul and Gurinder are pretty handy with bat lower down the order.
Scarred Bihar
Bihar heads into the contest at the back of a 10-wicket mauling by Pondicherry at home, although coach Ashok Kumar and captain Ashutosh Aman are confident of a turnaround in fortune against Chandigarh.
Last year, Ashutosh broke legendary Bishen Singh Bedi's record of 64 wickets in a Ranji Trophy season, and ended up with 68 scalps. His left-arm spin also produced four wickets in the 2019 Ranji opener. The captain is satisfied with the combine.
'No guests'
The spin-dominated team is a mix of youth and experience. Ashotosh said: "We have seasoned players Rahmat Ullah, Babul Kumar, and Sarfaraz Asraf to guide new faces Shashi Sekhar, Sabir Khan, and Shivam Kumar, who can be our trump cards at any stage of the match. We will leave the loss to Pondicherry behind and start afresh. It's a long season and we can make up for one loss."
Coach Ashok Kumar reminded critics that Bihar in the last Ranji Trophy season had finished second in the Plate group and entered the quarterfinals of the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He said: "Bihar is not dependent on guest players. We groom home-grown talent, a strategy that could backfire for first two seasons, but we are building a team for the future with proper bench strength."
Flood-hit camp
Asked the reason for a disappointing performance in the Ranji Trophy opener, the coach said the Bihar flood of earlier this year had left the team short of preparation.
He said: "For most part of the summer, our main stadium was flooded. There are many other issues, too, but we got into the Vijay Hazare quarterfinals despite all odds. The opening Ranji Trophy tie was sort of a warm-up before the good show we are confident of putting up against Chandigarh." Bihar are a formidable bowling unit led by their captain.