CHENNAI: The usual buzz around a Mumbai-Tamil Nadu contest was missing. Given the cramped schedule, stars from both teams skipped the optional practice session on the eve of their crucial third round
Vijay Hazare Trophy
match at the SSN College Ground on Thursday.
However, there was excitement surrounding the Mumbai camp as teenage sensation
Prithvi Shaw, who led India U-19 to World Cup title three days ago, is all set to feature in the key clash. The 18-year-old arrived late on Wednesday evening and is set to open the innings.
Mumbai coach Sameer Dighe said it's great to have Shaw back in the side. "He is a special talent. His confidence will be high after leading India to world title. His presence is definitely a boost for us. The boys are all looking forward to the contest," Dighe said.
It's going to be the batting might of Mumbai, bolstered by the return of Shaw, against the crafty bowling unit of TN led by offie R Ashwin. However, TN bowling coach L Balaji chose "not to focus" on individuals.
"Instead of focussing on individuals in the opposition, we have to prepare to the best of our best abilities to put pressure on the opposition. We have to play to our potential and not be intimidated by names in the opposite ranks. We have quite a few experienced bowlers like Ashwin, Washington Sundar,
Vijay Shankar and Aswin Crist is back. They know what to do and we will look to put Mumbai under pressure," he added.
Mumbai are riding high after registering two consecutive wins, while defending champions TN have been inconsistent winning one and losing to a below-par Goa.
Balaji wants his boys to "express themselves" on the field and treat every match from here as a knockout game. "We have to look at it as a must-win situation from here on. We need to express ourselves more on the field. We were champions last year and our players should believe in themselves," Balaji said.
Even though Mumbai, who are eager to end their 11-year title drought, lacks teeth in their pace attack with
Dhawal Kulkarni the frontline pacer, their top-order comprising the likes of Jay Bista, Akhil Herwadkar, Siddhesh Lad,
Suryakumar Yadav and skipper
Aditya Tare have taken on the responsibility of batting the opposition out of the contest by posting totals in excess of 300 on both occasions.
Dighe stressed on the importance of big runs on board. "We are missing pacer
Shardul Thakur. But our young pacers (
Royston Dias and Shivam Malhotra) are doing well and we have to back them. It's important for us put a good total on the board. Winning is everything and it is vital keep this momentum going," he added.
Ashwin to miss Andhra tie on Feb 11: Off-spinner Ashwin is set to miss the fifth round Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra to be played at the TI-Murugappa ground on February 11 due to personal commitments.
It was learnt from sources that Ashwin, who had skipped a few prior commitments due to the ongoing limited-overs tournament, will be back for the last round tie against Rajasthan on February 14.
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