Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Mumbai favorite in David vs Goliath quarterfinal conflict in opposition to Baroda

From being the fiercest west zone rivalry within the early 2000s, it’s pale into maybe one of many least sought-after zonal clashes. Come Friday and the clock will presumably flip again as Mumbai and Baroda face one another within the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal.

Be it efficiency, legacy or expertise, Mumbai enters the sport on the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy floor as rank favorite. But having certified for the knockouts for the primary time in over a decade, Vishnu Solanki-led younger Baroda outfit will definitely be eager to do a Goliath on Ajinkya Rahane’s David.

More than being bothered about Saurashtra’s lesser-known outfit, Mumbai can be bothered about getting its act proper, particularly within the center order. While a sensational bowling efficiency – with the unit choosing 138 of a most potential 140 wickets – has helped it sail by the league stage with a whopping 37 factors, the batting woes have been evident.

Barring Shivam Dube, not one of the different 9 batters having been tried out, together with captain Rahane, have been efficient. With Dube lacking in motion from a side-strain, Rahane can be eager to construct on the boldness he gained with an unbeaten fifty in opposition to Chhattisgarh two weeks in the past. It can be attention-grabbing to see if Musheer Khan – the India U-19 allrounder – can fill within the void created by Dube.

Rahane, the captain, nonetheless, has been successfully utilizing a flexible tempo assault. With Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande having rejoined the squad final week, Rahane will proceed to have an issue of a lot. In all chance, the duo together with Mohit Avasthi – will carry Mumbai’s tempo assault.

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“It’s a good headache to have when you have to choose from such a variety of options. The bowlers did well even in the last season. Picking 20 wickets almost every game, it’s a massive thing and that’s how you think of winning matches and the championship,” Rahane stated.

The tempo unit – together with the spin allrounder duo of Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian – must limit Baroda’s in-form Jyotsnil Singh, Shashwat Rawat and Shivalik Sharma. Should the in-form batters proceed their good run, Baroda will financial institution on veteran Bhargav Bhatt – the one survivor from its final look in a Ranji ultimate in 2010-11 – and offie Mahesh Pithiya to try to spin their internet across the Mumbai batters.