Thirty nine-time Ranji Trophy champions, Mumbai have a golden opportunity to improve their standing in the table when they take on Saurashtra, sans star performers Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara (both on India duty), in their Group A match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Khandheri, Rajkot today.
Saurashtra have 15 points from five matches while Mumbai have 11. Mumbai, who are yet to register an outright win this season, have a great opportunity to earn full points and move up the ladder in the absence of Jadeja and Pujara.u00a0
Skipper Ajit Agarkar
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Jadeja has played a key role for Saurashtra this season with bat and ball. He aggregated 794 runs in five matches with two triple centuries and claimed 24 wickets. Jadeja’s all-round show has propelled Saurashtra to second position in the points table.
“Jadeja and Pujara are our key players and we will definitely miss their services,” Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Shah told reporters on the match eve. “The absence of Jadeja and Pujara will give a chance to young talent, who should grab the opportunity in this match,” Shah added.
In the absence of Jadeja and Pujara, Saurashtra’s batting would revolve around the in-form Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, seasoned Sitanshu Kotak, Sagar Jogiyani and skipper Shah.
There is no doubt that Ajit Agarkar-led Mumbai will be looking to take full advantage of the void left by Jadeja. “This is an important game for us because we are behind in the table and are hoping to pocket full points,” Agarkar said. “Home conditions generally helped the hosts, but our players like Rohit Sharma and Ankeet Chavan are in good form,” he added.u00a0
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