Ranji Trophy: Kerala have task cut out against table-toppers Punjab

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On paper, the Elite Group 'A' Ranji Trophy encounter between Kerala and Punjab beginning at the St Xavier's College ground in Thumba on Saturday appears to be a mismatch in the offing. Punjab have their tails up going into the match as they are leading the Ranji Trophy combined A & B points table with 18 points from four matches. On the other hand, Kerala have had a forgettable season so far losing three of their four Ranji matches and are in the 17th spot in the 18-team table.
But then after suffering three back-to-back losses, Kerala will be banking on home advantage to make more than a match of it against the might of Punjab.And for that to happen, first they would need a surface that will suit their game plan. Kerala, who are already missing Sanju Samson's services, will also have to do without their pace ace, Sandeep Warrier, for the rest of the season. Sandeep is part of the India 'A' squad that is touring New Zealand and in his absence, the team-management would be hoping for a more favourable track that assists its spinners with more grip and turn.
But whatever the track at Thumba offers, it will be the performance of the Kerala batters that will be critical to the hosts' chances. Since posting a total of 525 in the first match against Delhi at Thumba, Kerala batters have failed to cross the 300-run mark, which is considered a par score in Ranji Trophy. Though they have added seamer Abhishek Mohan and left-arm spinner KC Akshay to the squad, lack of quality reinforcements means that Kerala will go in with the tried and tested batters in the match against Punjab but a shuffle in the order looks imminent. And the onus is on the Kerala batters to lift their team out of the rut they find themselves in.
"This is the second half of Ranji season and we need to start afresh. We are a far better side than what we have shown so far and what the (points) table suggests and we need to show that on the ground," said Kerala coach Dav Whatmore.
Punjab will be missing the services of their opener Shubman Gill, who will be leading India 'A' squad in one-dayers in New Zealand. But the biggest strength of this Mandeep Singh-led side is that they don't rely on any individual but find themselves at the top of the charts in Ranji Trophy this season due to a collective team effort. The skipper, Mandeep, himself has led from the front as he has been in terrific nick racking up 474 runs from four games, which included a double ton against Hyderabad. He has been well supported in the batting department by Gurkeerat Mann and Anmol Malhotra.
The other positive development for Punjab is that their India international pacer Siddarth Kaul has regained full fitness and is likely to feature in Saturday's game.
If the track at Thumba offers spin, then the visitors would rely on leggie Mayank Markande to provide the breakthroughs.
"We are happy to be at the top of the points table. But that's exactly why we think this is a crucial game for us. Kerala are last year's semifinalists and we don't want to take them lightly. The best part about our squad is that everyone is chipping in and I hope the players continue to do that in the remaining games as well," said Punjab skipper Mandeep Singh.