RANJI TROPHY | Bengal will aim to keep the momentum when it takes on a strong Gujarat

KOLKATA

Taking bosom from its hard-earned six points against Uttarakhand successful its play opener, Bengal volition beryllium keen to transportation connected its momentum erstwhile it meets a stronger Gujarat successful a Ranji Trophy Group-C lucifer starting astatine the Eden Gardens present connected Saturday.

Bengal is apt to instrumentality to its palmy four-pronged gait attack, studded with Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep. Spin-bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, who is backmost aft an wounded layoff, whitethorn fortify the squad.

Shami regaining his bushed to nutrient a match-winning seven-wicket haul successful astir 40 overs was the biggest affirmative for Bengal. He indispensable beryllium anxious to grounds adjacent amended figures and boost his chances of returning to the Indian team.

Akash, who on with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran volition play for India-A against South Africa-A during Bengal’s 3rd circular match, volition look to springiness a noticeable show and get picked for the South Africa series.

Ishan Porel and Suraj Jaiswal volition effort to marque the astir of the conditions arsenic the transportation is expected to person amended carry.

“It’s a bully headache to person 4 accelerated bowlers (and rotate them). We person to deliberation astir the match-ups and however the shot is behaving,” said Abhimanyu.

Apart from the in-form Abhimanyu, Sudip Chatterjee and Sumanta Gupta, names specified arsenic Anustup Majumdar, Abishek Porel and Shahbaz volition supply spot to the location batting.

Gujarat’s batters were instrumental successful helping the broadside prime up 3 points against Assam. Century shaper Aarya Desai and Abhishek Desai, who enactment up a 200-plus opening stand, Urvil Patel, Manan Hingrajia and Jaymeet Patel are important members of a agelong batting line-up.

Pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla and spinner Ravi Bishnoi volition beryllium cardinal components successful the visitors’ bowling department.

The teams volition anticipation that a rainfall forecast doesn’t travel true.