Also showing
A preview of the second-round matches of the Ranji Trophy Super League 2008-09
Cricinfo staff
09-Nov-2008
 |
|
Only two outright results in the first round highlighted the cautious manner in which teams approach the first few games. The main interest in the second round will be if the teams let go of their inhibitions, many of whom will lose players part of India's ODI squad against England. A look at the Super League matches starting Monday:
Group B
Baroda v Uttar Pradesh in Vadodara
This is the clash of the semi-finalists from last season, the two strongest teams in Group B. UP will miss Suresh Raina, who joins the Indian team. Similarly, Baroda, playing their first match of the season, will lose Yusuf Pathan, their key player. This will be a rare occasion, though, when Irfan Pathan will play for them and Yusuf will be away on national duty. The Moti Bagh Stadium pitch usually assists the fast bowlers.
This is the clash of the semi-finalists from last season, the two strongest teams in Group B. UP will miss Suresh Raina, who joins the Indian team. Similarly, Baroda, playing their first match of the season, will lose Yusuf Pathan, their key player. This will be a rare occasion, though, when Irfan Pathan will play for them and Yusuf will be away on national duty. The Moti Bagh Stadium pitch usually assists the fast bowlers.
Maharashtra v Andhra in Nasik
The Nasik featherbed, on which Tamil Nadu scored 648 for 3 and failed to take 20 wickets, will be in the focus again. Maharashtra, the hosts, will hate to be on the receiving end once more, against an Andhra side who conceded a first-innings lead to UP. The team who loses this match could well end this season languishing at the bottom.
The Nasik featherbed, on which Tamil Nadu scored 648 for 3 and failed to take 20 wickets, will be in the focus again. Maharashtra, the hosts, will hate to be on the receiving end once more, against an Andhra side who conceded a first-innings lead to UP. The team who loses this match could well end this season languishing at the bottom.
Group A
Gujarat v Mumbai in Surat
The only two teams that managed outright wins in the first round. Both the teams had everything going for them and will look for more of the same. Mumbai have called up Vinayak Mane in place of Rohit Sharma, another of the players who will leave to join the Indian ODI side.
The only two teams that managed outright wins in the first round. Both the teams had everything going for them and will look for more of the same. Mumbai have called up Vinayak Mane in place of Rohit Sharma, another of the players who will leave to join the Indian ODI side.
Hyderabad v Delhi in Hyderabad
Delhi, the defending champions, had a tough first match, where they had to work hard to bowl Punjab for a below-par total. They weren't left with enough time to force a result. Hyderabad had a tighter game, where they held on for a 27-run first-innings lead against Orissa. Delhi will miss Virat Kohli, and Hyderabad Pragyan Ojha.
Delhi, the defending champions, had a tough first match, where they had to work hard to bowl Punjab for a below-par total. They weren't left with enough time to force a result. Hyderabad had a tighter game, where they held on for a 27-run first-innings lead against Orissa. Delhi will miss Virat Kohli, and Hyderabad Pragyan Ojha.
Punjab v Rajasthan in Mohali
Rajasthan, with a new captain in Venugopal Rao, had a disappointing start to the season - an outright loss to Mumbai. They would want to set things right against Punjab, who will be without Yuvraj Singh. Punjab struggled against Delhi, especially with their bowling. They are one of the teams yet to recover from the hole the ICL has left them in. A loss here for either team might jolt their chances of making it to the knockout stage.
Rajasthan, with a new captain in Venugopal Rao, had a disappointing start to the season - an outright loss to Mumbai. They would want to set things right against Punjab, who will be without Yuvraj Singh. Punjab struggled against Delhi, especially with their bowling. They are one of the teams yet to recover from the hole the ICL has left them in. A loss here for either team might jolt their chances of making it to the knockout stage.
Saurashtra v Orissa in Rajkot
While other teams have lost out on first-choice players because of the India-England series, Saurashtra have lost out on their first-choice venue, the Madhavrao Scindia Stadium. Khandheri Cricket Stadium will be making its first-class debut with this match. Saurashtra have other problems to sort out too. Semi-finalists last year, they were thrashed by Gujarat by an innings and 227 runs in the first round. Orissa, the surprise package from last season, have only one point from their first match.
While other teams have lost out on first-choice players because of the India-England series, Saurashtra have lost out on their first-choice venue, the Madhavrao Scindia Stadium. Khandheri Cricket Stadium will be making its first-class debut with this match. Saurashtra have other problems to sort out too. Semi-finalists last year, they were thrashed by Gujarat by an innings and 227 runs in the first round. Orissa, the surprise package from last season, have only one point from their first match.