Mumbai's chief selector Milind Rege reckons visitors New Zealand will be edgy before Thursday's opening Test match against India thanks to the Ranji champions
Milind Rege
Mumbai's chairman of selectors Milind Rege indicated that the Ranji Trophy champions have paved a path for Virat Kohli & Co to have a smooth ride against the visiting New Zealand team which kick off their Test series against India at Kanpur on Thursday. New Zealand's tour opener against Mumbai ended in a draw at the Kotla in New Delhi yesterday.
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"It's over to Kohli and Anil Kumble now. I'm sure New Zealand's confidence has been dented. Their bowlers have a lot to think about," Rege told mid-day.
New Zealand's Luke Ronchi is stumped by Mumbai’' Sufiyan Shaikh on the third and final day of the Kiwis’ warm-up match at the Kotla in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/PTI
Centurion Luke Ronchi provided the tour selectors a welcome headache for the opening Test at Kanpur, but the Kiwis were bowled out by an under-strength Mumbai side for 235 in 66.4 overs.
New Zealand scored 324 for seven in their first innings before their opponents plundered 464 for eight declared with three centurions – Kaustabh Pawar, Suryakumar Yadav and Siddhesh Lad, who scored 100 on the final day of the tie yesterday. The manner in which Mumbai batted against an international side reminded Rege of the city team's 10-wicket win over Australia in 1998 when Sachin Tendulkar scored a double ton.
Siddhesh Lad, who scored an unbeaten hundred for Mumbai against New Zealand yesterday
"Before this game, I was just hoping that we could match up to an international team, but we have come out on top as true champions. It was a good game for Ranji Trophy preparation as well. The New Zealanders were very serious in this game. You could see they were putting everything into their preparation," remarked Rege, who was impressed with the way the "classy" Armaan Jaffer batted for his 69.
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Yesterday, leg-break bowler Parikshit Valsangakar claimed three wickets which included Ronchi, who was stumped by Sufiyan Shaikh. "Valsangakar is also a fine batsman and bats high up for his club while left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil's line and length reminds me of the late Mumbai spinner Ghulam Shaikh (who played under-22 cricket for Mumbai). Royston Dias is a good left-arm fast bowler. There's a fair amount of talent around and there is going to be tough competition for places. All this augers well for our season," said Rege.
Brief scores
New Zealand 324/7decl and 235 all out (L Ronchi 107, BJ Watling 43; S Lad 2-11, V Gohil 2-61, P Valsangkar 3-41) vs Mumbai 464-8 decl (S Yadav 103, K Pawar 100, S Lad 100*; I Sodhi 2-132)
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