Ranji semi-finals: Pujara, Jaffer, Umesh in focus
NEWDELHI:The two marathon men of Indian cricket will be the big focus when Saurashtra face Karnataka in Bengaluru and Kerala host Vidarbha at Wayanad’s Krishnagiri Stadium in the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy starting on Thursday.
The last time Cheteshwar Pujara took guard against Karnataka in Ranji was in 2013, and he struck a triple century at Rajkot. This time, Saurashtra face a strong Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the venue holds fond memories for India’s new age Wall as the venue of his Test debut.
Pujara is in phenomenal form after a career-defining run saw his three centuries carry India to a historic first Test series win in Australia. Back home, he struck an unbeaten half-century to help Saurashtra chase down a Ranji record fourth-innings target of 372 against Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-final win at Lucknow.
However, Saurashtra aren’t reliant only on their star batsman. Teenaged opener Harvik Desai, Snell Patel and the seasoned Sheldon Jackson have all contributed consistently this season while skipper Jaydev Unadkat’s left-arm seam bowling and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja’s leftarm spin while Ravindra Jadeja is on India duty have all kept the team on course for their maiden Ranji success. The team in its earlier avatar as Nawanagar reached the final twice, winning in 1936-37. However, Saurashtra’s only final in 2012-13 ended in disappointment.
Karnataka will be formidable opponents at home. Seasoned pacer Vinay Kumar has been a fine motivator and useful lowerorder bat as well. The eight-time former champions too have the credentials to go all the way. Opener Mayank Agarwal is back in the team after a thumb injury.
JAFFER, UMESH KEY
Wasim Jaffer, 39 runs short of 1,000 runs this Ranji season, and Umesh Yadav, whose nine wickets against Uttarakhand showed he is thirsting for success after getting just one Test in Australia, will be what Vidarbha will throw at Kerala. The first-time semi-finalists upstaged Gujarat in the quarters, and the talented bunch has been moulded by Dav Whatmore. However, Vidarbha, and the Umesh-led attack, will be the biggest challenge for Kerala even if they get Jaffer, fresh from scoring 206, his fourth triple figure knock of the season, early.