Eleven months since being concerned in a nail-biting semifinal, Tamil Nadu will face Saurashtra but once more for a spot in
the final 4 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at Nadiad, 65 km from right here, on Monday.
Despite that last-ball thriller in Jaipur final December weighing on each contingents’ minds, two of probably the most constant one-day sides in home cricket will sq. off after topping their respective teams.
Tamil Nadu – probably the most profitable staff within the match with 5 titles thus far – has featured in two of the final three finals, whereas Saurashtra has certified for the knockouts for the third consecutive season. Tamil Nadu educated at a personal facility right here on Sunday, whereas Saurashtra practised on the Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium in Nadiad, the venue for the match.
Come Monday and each groups will know that the conflict of the heavyweights might properly be determined through the new-ball battle in Tamil Nadu’s batting essay.
N. Jagadeesan and B. Sai Sudharsan – the Tamil Nadu openers – have been within the type of their life. Such has been their dominance within the league stage that in addition to making a plethora of information, the duo has confronted nearly 82 per cent of the 1542 balls confronted by Tamil Nadu batters within the league stage.
If the duo – with a mixed tally of 1,408 runs and eight tons of – can proceed its streak, the job can be all however accomplished. But its process will simpler mentioned than accomplished. After all, they are going to be up in opposition to a pair of left-arm pacers who’re in red-hot kind.
Captain Jaydev Unadkat and the promising Chetan Sakariya have thus far claimed 24 wickets collectively. Moreover, the duo has persistently struck with the brand new ball. Only as soon as in its seven video games did Saurashtra go wicktetless within the Powerplay.
With early morning begin favouring the groups fielding first – all three pre-quarterfinals noticed the staff batting dropping the sport – Saurashtra can be hoping the coin lands in Unadkat’s favour.
Jagadeesan and Sai Sudharsan’s prolific kind has meant the center and lower-middle order have seldom come into play. It can be attention-grabbing to see if Tamil Nadu captain B. Indrajith promotes big-hitter M. Shahrukh Khan within the batting order ought to the openers proceed to fireplace.
Saurashtra is a aspect with combating high quality. They come again very robust. Even final yr’s recreation was an in depth one. We will have a look at their energy and attempt to work a manner out.
— M. Venkatramana, Tamil Nadu coach
It’s not a revenge recreation for us. We misplaced off the final ball final yr however are assured of setting the report straight tomorrow. If we are able to expose their center order early, the job can be half accomplished.
— Niraj Odedra, Saurashtra coach
THE QUARTERFINALS
At Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: Punjab vs Karnataka
At Narendra Modi Stadium ‘B’ Ground, Ahmedabad: Maharashtra vs Uttar Pradesh
At Gujarat College Ground, Ahmedabad: Assam vs Jammu & Kashmir
At Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium, Nadiad: Tamil Nadu vs Saurashtra