If Australian commentator Kerry O’Keeffe can jest about Mayank Agarwal’s triple ton in the Ranji Trophy in the middle of an international Test match, trust the world to be wary of the talent being harnessed in the Indian domestic cricket setup.
Following the historic Test series triumph Down Under, Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank returned to their respective States — Saurashtra and Karnataka — for the Ranji Trophy knockouts. The second semifinal of the 2018-19 season starting on Thursday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium belongs to them.
As his knocks in Australia had been, Pujara seems to be tireless.
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Despite suffering long flights, dealing with changing conditions, being away from home for long periods, and facing 1,258 balls and a few more in the Ranji quarterfinal, he is as smooth as silk. On Wednesday morning, as the visiting side practised catching at the main ground amid encouraging shouts from coach Sitanshu Kotak, the TV cameras kept rotating with Pujara. The India No. 3 finished his fielding drills and moved to the B ground for batting. He looked supremely fit.
Ticking all boxes
Mayank had a normal entry to the ground that made him a professional cricketer. But this time, he had admirers from outside the gate coming in for an autograph. The right-hander ticked all boxes on the eve of the game. Padding up to pacers and spinners, fielding and then, the pool session.
Though playing at home, Karnataka had lost to Saurashtra in the group stages in its away clash. The Jaydev Unadkat-led side has a psychological edge going into the crucial fixture.
It will, however, be cautious of slow left-arm orthodox bowler J. Suchith, who took nine wickets in two innings in Rajkot.
Samarth likely to sit out
There is still no clarity as to who in the Karnataka squad will make way for Mayank. Looking at recent performances, R. Samarth is likely to sit out. D. Nischal, who hit two hundreds in the season, could be Mayank’s opening partner.
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Karnataka pacer Ronit More had a long session at the nets. He bowled a tight line and kept skipper Manish Pandey on his toes. The 26-year-old pacer — who took three fifers this season — is a brutal force in the Karnataka ranks.
Other than Pujara, Saurashtra will bank on the find of the season — Harvik Desai — and senior pro Sheldon Jackson. Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Dharmendrasinh Jadeja will be paceman Unadkat’s trump card. Jadeja has claimed 45 wickets in the 2018-19 season so far.
There are no injuries on either side.
How important is the contest? A few minutes before the players dispersed, there was a sudden outcry from the left corner. The groundsmen had spotted a snake. The reptile must have cleared the ground of all rats and insects.
- In Nagpur: Drew with Vidarbha.
- In Belagavi: Drew with Mumbai.
- In Mysore: Beat Maharashtra by seven wickets.
- In Rajkot: Lost to Saurashtra by 87 runs.
- In Surat: Drew with Gujarat.
- In Shimoga: Beat Railways by 176 runs.
- In Alur: Beat Chhattisgarh by 198 runs.
- In Vadodara: Lost to Baroda by two wickets.
- In Bengaluru: Beat Rajasthan by six wickets.
- In Rajkot: Drew with Chhattisgarh.
- In Rajkot: Beat Railways by three wickets.
- In Nadiad: Drew with Gujarat.
- In Rajkot: Drew with Baroda.
- In Rajkot: Beat Karnataka by 87 runs.
- In Nasik: Beat Maharashtra by five wickets.
- In Mumbai: Drew with Mumbai.
- In Rajkot: Drew with Vidarbha.
- In Lucknow: Beat Uttar Pradesh by six wickets.
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