UP aim to stop run-machine Shaw in final
LUCKNOW : A new-look Uttar Pradesh are out to stop Mumbai captain Prithvi Shaw from “running riot” in a bid to regain the glittering Vijay Hazare Trophy when the two sides face each other in the final of the national one-day championship at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
The former joint champions, led by young skipper Karan Sharma, are confident of tackling both domestic giants Mumbai and Shaw and they have “special plans” for the rivals on a batsmen friendly turf.
“In fact, we are focused on our own strength and not bothering much about the strength of the opposition. If we execute our plans well, victory will come our way automatically, but for that we all need to put our best foot forward for one last time,” team’s chief coach Gyanendra Pandey said soon after a strenuous training session on Saturday.
He, however, admired Shaw’s batting form, but said that it mattered a lot as to how one played on a particular day. “Throughout the tournament, we have been focused on our game plan and we will certainly be careful with Shaw as he has been in tremendous form.”
“But we, too, have the bowlers with potential to tackle him and also the batsmen, who can chase any target in any condition. Our showing in all the seven matches so far is a testimony of our strength and we believe in ourselves the most,” said Pandey, who has a good track record as UP coach.
Shaw’s amazing display with the bat so far has been ample proof of his dominance in the tournament. With 754 runs, including three centuries and a double century so far, he has brightened his chances of a comeback in Team India for the upcoming three ODIs against the visiting England at home.
Unlike Mumbai, whose fortunes revolve around Shaw’s performance, Uttar Pradesh has plenty of performers. In the seven matches so far, almost everyone gave his 100% to craft the team’s victory. In the semi-final against Gujarat on Thursday, pacers Yash Dayal and Aaquib Khan did well by removing the top order, including Gujarat’s “run machine” Priyank Panchal, fielders effected superb run-outs and former captain Akshdeep Nath batted well to fashion the team’s five-wicket win.
If left-hander Dayal manages to bring the ball in to Shaw, it may be difficult for the young opener to stay long in the middle. From the other end, Khan, too, can swing the ball well before leading wicket-taker and left-arm orthodox spinner Shivam Sharma (20 wickets) makes things difficult for Mumbai batsmen.
Though UP batsmen like skipper Karan Sharma (225 runs), keeper-batsman Upendra Yadav (276 runs) and Akshdeep Nath have done well, the side would also be banking on openers Abhishek Goswami (187 runs) and Madhav Kaushik for a strong start against a formidable Mumbai bowling.
In the semi-final, the top three batsmen Samarth Singh, Madhav Kaushik and Priyam Garg after starting well, failed to keep the momentum going and almost “threw” away their wickets in a similar fashion.
Besides Shaw, Mumbai’s batting would revolve around Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, experienced wicket-keeper batsman Aditya Tare, all-rounders Shams Mulani or Shivam Dube. As expected, experienced pacer Dhawal Kulkarni (14 wickets) would lead the bowling attack with Tushar Deshpande and the spin-trio of Prashant Solanki, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani.
If Uttar Pradesh win their third summit clash, this would be their second title. For Mumbai, this would be their fourth one with the last one being in 2018-19. The match starts at 9am.