Panchal versus Nadeem subplot adds intrigue

IN WHAT promises to be an enticing contest full of interesting sub-plots, Gujarat boasting of Ranji Trophy’s highest run-getter Priyank Panchal will be pitted against Jharkhand that has top wicket-taker Shahbaz Nadeem in their ranks in the semifinal, starting on Sunday.

While both teams are not exactly traditional heavyweights but they have performed consistently on neutral venues riding on some talented but unheralded names in domestic cricket. Gujarat has had some powerhouse batting performers like Panchal who has scored more than 1,100 runs this season. Not to forget opener Samit Gohil, whose 359 not out was a world record in first class cricket for an opener who carried his bat through.

And above all the ‘towering presence’ of pocket sized dynamo in their skipper Parthiv Patel, who needs less than 400 runs to complete 10,000 runs in first class cricket.

With his new found confidence having hit two half centuries against England on his Test comeback, Parthiv would be eager to teach Jharkhand bowling a lesson with his explosive strokeplay.

The only player who would be missed is left arm spinner Axar Patel out due to a finger surgery. But they have a yorker specialist in Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks.

His recent inclusion in Cricket Australia’s ODI Team of the Year would increase his confidence manifold and would be good practice before the upcoming limited overs series against England.

For Jharkhand, a lot will depend on how well left arm spinner Nadeem, who has 50 wickets already this season, bowls on Jamtha track. Nadeem’ s discipline needs to be complemented by likes of Rahul Shukla.

Jharkhand’s batting depends a lot on young left-hander Ishan Kishan, leading the chart with 719 runs including a 273 against Delhi. His lusty hitting during fourth innings chase in quarter final against Haryana has certainly caught attention. He will have support from veterans Saurabh Tiwary and Ishank Jaggi apart from youngster Virat Singh, who could pose challenge for Gujarat attack.

Innovative keeping sessions helped me: Parthiv

His batting and keeping shone through in equal measure during the recent home Test series against England and Parthiv Patel attributes the success to segregating his twin skills during training sessions. Patel’s delightful strokeplay has been praised by one and all along with his haul of 13 dismissals with the big glove in India’s 4-0 series triumph over England. “I think what has worked wonderfully well for me is the separate sessions that I have had for batting and keeping. In the past few years, when I chalked out my training schedule, I made it a point that I won't practise batting and keeping during a singular session” the 31-year-old added.