Aditya Tare's latest challenge is to tame a hungry Madhya Pradesh, led by Devendra Bundela, in the five-day semifinal that begins on Saturday at the DRIEMS ground in Cuttack.
Mumbai's journey in their quest to their 41st Ranji Trophy title has been fairly smooth this season. They have two more hurdles to cross before they get their hands on the most prestigious trophy in domestic cricket.
Aditya Tare's latest challenge is to tame a hungry Madhya Pradesh, led by Devendra Bundela, in the five-day semifinal that begins on Saturday at the DRIEMS ground in Cuttack.
The task may look easier as MP are not fancied in front of a powe-rpacked Mumbai outfit that possess young and inspiring players.
Three years ago, the same MP team had nearly got the better of Mumbai before the Zaheer Khan-led outfit stole victory from the jaws of defeat in a thrilling semifinals by seven runs in Indore.
With five victories in nine games including one in the quarterfinals against Jharkhand this season will definitely give Mumbai the confidence before the big game. A victory in the league this season against MP will give them the extra edge.
The good news for Mumbai is that Tare, who missed out the last game due to a finger injury, is back to leading the team. Not just that, it also boosts the team's batting line-up.
For Mumbai, batting sensation Shreyas Iyer will once again be the man who the opposition will be targetting. Season's leading run-scorer, Iyer will be keen to get into the three figures while last match centurion and opener Akhil Herwadkar would look to continue his fine form.
On bowling front, Mumbai's form has not been worth talking about. Seamer Shardul Thakur would look to try to impress in this game and help his team reach the final while left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla, who got a fifer in the previous game, will look to get more wickets.
However, it won't be that easy for Mumbai. MP have a more than effective battery of pacers in the form of experienced Ishwar Pandey, Puneet Datey and the nippy Chandrakant Sakure. Off-spinning all-rounder Jalaj Saxena will give the balance to the side.
In the other last four tie, Jaydev Shah's Saurashtra will go in as favourite against Assam, led by Gokul Sharma. Shah's side has been in fine form this season. With Cheteshwar Pujara and seamer Jaydev Unadkat at their disposal, the underdogs Assam will really find it difficult.
Live on: Star Sports 2, 9.20 am
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