Delhi stand in way as Vidarbha chase maiden Ranji glory

Indore, Dec. 28: A win away from their maiden title, Vidarbha embodied the allure often associated with underdogs as they braced up to face a battle- hardened Delhi who have for years braved a system that is anything but robust, in the final of Ranji Trophy.

Since reaching their maiden semi- final of the country’s premier domestic tournament, Vidarbha’s story has been about getting familiarised with unchartered territories, and now they are up against a team who are also seeking happy endings for years.

If Vidarbha’s dream run ends in a heartbreak at the Holkar Stadium, it would pave the way for Delhi’s eighth triumph — the last coming almost a decade back.

Some turnaround it has been after the off- field controversies that dogged the team last season, with much publicised altercation between then skipper Gautam Gambhir and coach K. P. Bhaskar.

A team who have produced some of the finest players in recent years and look set to supply a player or two more to the Indian cricket team in near future, Delhi certainly look like the fancied of the two finalists.

However, given Vidarbha’s spirited run to their maiden title clash, Delhi are well aware of the threat the firsttimers could pose over the next few days.

Not one take anything for granted, Delhi skipper Rishabh

Pant said on the eve of the match, “We are just focused on the job at hand. We know we will have to play really well to win the match.”

Medium pacer Rajneesh Gurbani has become the toast of the domestic scene since he ran through season favourites Karnataka’s starstudded batting line- up in the semi- final at Kolkata.

Against Delhi, Gurbani and his team mates have another difficult challenge facing them.

With the seasoned Gambhir at the top of the order, Delhi know they have a player who can be relied on in times of crisis.

If the out- of- favour India opener is able to add to the to three centuries and two fifties in the final, Delhi would be too happy to lap it all. From scoring a crucial 95 in the fourthinnings quarter- final chase against Madhya Pradesh to the century versus Bengal in the lastfour stage, Gambhir has had ad ecisive role in the team’s progress to the final, and a s u b s t a n t i a l outing here would be befitting. Gambhir’s muchyounger opening partner, Kunal Chandela, too is coming off a century in the semifinal, and Delhi are fortunate to enter the season’s biggest game with their openers in top form.

Nitish Rana has scored a lot of runs batting in the middle- order.

The seven- time winners have a young captain in Pant and though he has had a quiet season, the wicketkeeper would certainly look to impress the national selectors present there, with handsome contributions.

Navdeep Saini, the 25- yearold pacer, has been a consistent wicket- taker for Delhi this season. His seven- wicket match haul against Bengal in the semi- final contributed to his team’s innings win. The bowler from Karnal, whose rise has been documented over the past few days, meant business in the group stages too, picking up wickets against Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Saini’s pace bowling colleague, Kulwant Khejroliya too took four wickets against Bengal, as the duo bundled out their opponents for a paltry 86 in the second innings.