Just about the only common thread binding Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh is that, in Group A of the Super League, both sides have one point each against their names. That and, of course, the fact that both teams have won the Ranji Trophy Plate Division title!
It will be a classic case of David taking on Goliath when Sandeep Sharma’s young band attempts to beard the Karnataka lion in its own den over the next four days. The Chinnaswamy stadium will usher in Karnataka’s first home Ranji Trophy game of the season on Thursday, a match Anil Kumble’s side must perforce win to retain realistic hopes of aspiring to qualify for the knockout stage.
Burning desire
Karnataka are last year’s semifinalists, and have won the Ranji Trophy six times. This time last year, Himachal were plying their wares in the Plate Division against relatively lesser opposition, fuelled by a burning desire to step out of the second rung and rub shoulders with the best in the business. Their dream eventuated by the time the season was over and done with. Like Karnataka in 2003, Himachal clinched the Plate crown earlier this year. Their reward is a succession of matches against quality opposition; no domestic opponent will boast as much quality this season as this Karnataka side does.
The mere presence of Kumble and Rahul Dravid in the Karnataka ranks for possibly the last time this season means Himachal will have to play out of their skins on an untested surface that might play up and down as the game progresses. Skipper Sharma sought to play down the Kumble-Dravid factor, choosing to take solace in having locked horns with Railways — ‘They also had many Test and one-day players when we played them’ — last season. Whether that is a sign of confidence in his young brigade or mere bluster and bravado will become apparent when the match gets going on Thursday.
Playing catch-up
A poor day-one batting effort meant Karnataka had to play catch-up in their opening fixture in Mumbai at the start of the month. Dravid’s class and KB Pawan’s dogged determination helped the confidence flow back into the batting ranks as they put up a far improved second-innings performance. Saying that, they will need to be on top of their game against a Himachal attack that looks modest on paper, but which can embarrass the hosts if taken lightly.
The most recognisable name in that attack is Sarandeep Singh, the former Indian offie, but the men to look out for are new-ball operators Ashok Thakur and Vikramjeet Malik. Left-arm pacer Thakur finished with match figures of 11 for 126 against Saurashtra in their Super League opener, while Malik has been a consistent performer over the last three seasons, capable of early breakthroughs that will allow Sarandeep a foot in the door.
Himachal’s batting, however, appears a touch suspect under pressure, what with experience being at a premium. At 33, their captain and opener will have to show the way. Sangram Singh, now 29, hasn’t quite lived up to the promise of the last couple of years, though as 23-year-old opener Manish Gupta showed in the last game with a second-innings century, the Himachal lads aren’t afraid of a scrap.
Soft underbelly
They will, though, have seen nothing like the fare Kumble and Sunil Joshi will dish out. Set to field an unchanged eleven, Karnataka will need their pacers and particularly NC Aiyappa to expose the soft underbelly for Kumble and Joshi to feast on.
The first ever meeting between one of the giants of domestic cricket and a side finally waking up to the realities of competitive cricket is unlikely to be a classic as a contest. It’s individual shows of brilliance that one must look out for.
Teams (from):
Karnataka: Anil Kumble (capt), KB Pawan, Barrington Rowland, Rahul Dravid, C Raghu, Yere Goud, Thilak Naidu, B Akhil, Sunil Joshi, R Vinay Kumar, NC Aiyappa, KP Appanna, Sudhindra Shinde, Devraj T Patil, S Dhananjaya.
Himachal Pradesh: Sandeep Sharma (capt), Manish Gupta, Sangram Singh, Paras Dogra, Maninder Bisla, Ajay Mannu, Vishal Bhatia, Mukesh Sharma, Sarandeep Singh, Ashok Thakur, Vikramjeet Malik, Varun Mishra, Barun Sharma, Jitender Mehta, Mohinder Rai Sharma.
Umpires: PS Godbole (Vidarbha) and HS Sekhon (Punjab). Match referee: Sanjib Paul (Tripura).
Hours of play: 0930-1200 hours, 1240-1440 hours and 1500-close of play.