Buoyant UP hope to spring a coup

haven’t conceded the first innings lead even once. Interestingly, their only outright victory this season came last week against Haryana (an innings and 34 runs) in the quarter-final.

UP’s display has found praise in the opposition camp too. “They appear to be a better side this season,” opined Mumbai coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu.Skipper Gyanendra Pandey projected the upbeat mood in his side saying: “we are looking forwardto put our best foot forward.” Pandey’s confidence notwithstanding, UP would have to come out with an exemplary exhibition if they are to dent the rival’s reputation.

A new captain in Amol Muzumdar and the batting line-up lacking Test class are probably the only grey areas in the Mumbai camp. Sanjay Manjrekar’s premature retirement followed by Vinod Kambli’s recall to the National team has resulted in the leadership being thrust upon the 23-year-old Muzumdar. “There’s more responsibility now. I can feel it,” he said while speaking to Express Newsline. He felt that his team was “strong enough” to pursue the team goal of attaining supremacy in every campaign they undertake. Muzumdar’s only experience of leading the side last season ended on a successful note when Mumbai defeated Haryana by four wickets in the Super League match.

The batting department headed by Muzumdar, young Amit Pagnis, Sunil More, vice-captain Sulakshan Kulkarni and Jatin Paranjpe, who returns to the squad after a one-month stintin Pakistan representing India A, would have to cut out the frills if they are to complement their bowlers. For, UP possesses a potent pace attack in Ashish Winston Zaidi and Ubaid Kamal.

However, it would be the bowlers that Mumbai would be depending on to deliver the goods. An attack of international status led by the pace duo of Abey Kuruvilla and Paras Mhambrey supplemented by spinners Nilesh Kulkarni and Sairaj Bahutule should do good business if Mumbai are to underline their standing as National champions.

UP would be banking upon their batsmen to extend their excellent run. Rizwan Shamshad and all-rounder Saurabh Shukla have been the lead characters with openers Rakesh Sharma, Jyoti Yadav, debutant Mohammad Kaif and skipper Pandey playing the support cast.

While Shamshad ruled in the league phase, amassing nearly 600 runs, inclusive of three centuries and a double hundred (224 not out against Railways), Shukla has led centre-stage in the latter phase. An effort of 164 against Tamil Nadu wasburied under the pitch fiasco that resulted in TN and Delhi being suspended for the year. But the son of former National selector, Anand Shukla came up good in the last match against Haryana slamming a career-best score of 189.

The 18-year-old Kaif, lived up to the talent he displayed during the U-19 World Cup in South Africa recently, by compiling a century in his only first-class match (against Haryana).

While UP are likely to retain the combination that emerged victors against Haryana, Mumbai have left out opener Wasim Jaffer from the XI. With the track undergoing a heavy dose of watering this morning both captains were reluctant to pass a judgement. However, Sandhu felt that “it would be a good toss to lose.”

More than the contest, it would be a platform for young hopefuls and Test discards to parade their wares and provide the National selectors some food for thought.

THE TEAMS

Mumbai: Amol Muzumdar (captain), Amit Pagnis, Sunil More, Jatin Paranjape, Sulakshan Kulkarni (vice-captain,wicket-keeper), Mandar Phadke, Sairaj Bahutule, Rajesh Pawar, Abey Kuruvilla and Nilesh Kulkarni. 12th man: Wasim Jaffer. Reserves: Manish Patel, Rajesh Sutar and Sameer Dighe. Coach: Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

Uttar Pradesh (from): Gyanendra Pandey (captain), Rakesh Sharma, Jyoti Yadav, Rizwan Shamshad, Rahul Sapru, Mohammad Kaif, Manoj Mudgal (wicket-keeper), Saurabh Shukla, Mohammad Saif, Ashish Winston Zaidi, Ubaid Kamal, Mushi Raza, Arvind Solanki, Shivadhar Bajpai and Asif Jaffer. Coach: Venkat Sunderam.

Umpires: AV Jayaprakash (Karnataka) & Francis Gomes (Calcutta).