Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Andhra faces a troublesome process in opposition to Rahane-led Mumbai

Had it not been for Mumbai’s tied first innings in opposition to Maharashtra within the final league spherical of the earlier Ranji Trophy season, Andhra wouldn’t have made a uncommon quarterfinal look.

Despite Andhra ending above Mumbai within the total standings, the southern underachievers will know that it’s going to have its process minimize out in opposition to Ajinkya Rahane’s military this time spherical, that too in its personal yard.

While Andhra shall be upbeat after incomes the innings lead in opposition to the final season’s finalist Bengal in its marketing campaign opener final week, it should hope for a Herculean effort – maybe by the main gentle Hanuma Vihari – to repeat the identical consequence in opposition to the 41-time champion.

Mumbai, in the meantime, shall be hoping to mark Shreyas Iyer’s return to the premier First Class championship after 5 years by repeating – or bettering – the final yr’s feat of a nine-wicket win in opposition to Andhra.

RELATED | Hanuma Vihari steps down as Andhra captain

Leaving apart final season’s conflict, each the camps could have main adjustments from its tournament-opener. Andhra could have a brand new captain with Hanuma Vihari stepping down as captain on Thursday, passing the mantle on to Ricky Bhui. The seasoned batter was the star of Andhra’s huge recreation in opposition to Bengal at residence, his 175 serving to it overhaul Bengal’s 409.

Mumbai, however, will miss the providers of Tushar Deshpande, Sarfaraz Khan (each chosen for India A) and allrounder Shivam Dube (on India obligation). While Deshpande missed its innings win in opposition to Bihar at Patna, Sarfaraz’s void shall be crammed by Shreyas after being omitted from India’s T20I squad.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane, who needed to sit out the opener resulting from a stiff neck, is match and raring to go. So is veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, more likely to make his first look of the season.

The pitch on the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy floor wore a canopy of recent grass however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the overused floor behaves ought to the match go the gap.