Ranji Trophy: Mumbai coach's heart-to-heart chat with players

Chandrakant Pandit, Abhishek Nayar

Head coach Pandit (right) with the team's man for all seasons Abhishek Nayar, who has been one of Mumbai's most consistent performers this Ranji season. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Mumbai and Gujarat, two teams from the West Zone will battle it out for Ranji Trophy glory at the Holkar Stadium here today. While Mumbai is playing its 46th final, it will be a stern test for Gujarat, who are in their first final in 66 years. After yesterday's net session, coach Chandrakant Pandit sat down individually with each player from his team. "I spoke with all of them individually to understand their mindset. I tried to get them into a positive frame of mind before this important match. My ultimate aim is to increase their confidence level and tell them what we expect from them," Pandit said.

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Mumbai's Akhil Herwadkar, after missing out four games, said his aim would be to spend as much time as possible at the crease. "It was very disappointing to be out of cricket. But I had to patiently wait for my recovery. Now, after practising, I am ready and confident for the final," Herwadkar, who will play his second Ranji Trophy final, added.

Meanwhile, Vijay Gohil asserted that he is ready to face challenges that come his way during his first Ranji final. "I tried too many things during the semi-final against Tamil Nadu. In the final, I will try to bowl to my strength. I am confident that I will overcome my failures in the last game and will take wickets in this important clash. I am going to play my first Ranji final and want to make it a memorable one with many wickets," said Gohil.

For Mumbai skipper Aditya Tare, winning the title is equivalent to a successful season, unlike other sides (who are happy to qualify for the knockout stage), he reckoned. "We have been brought up in such tough situations and conditions, which is why we have been qualifying for the past five to 10 seasons. If we don't win the Ranji Trophy, it's an unsuccessful season. We are used to high standards and that's how it should be. Everyone who enters the squad knows what it takes to play for Mumbai and win the Ranji Trophy. The aim is to win it as a unit," Tare added.

Mumbai's Tare is counting on Abhishek Nayar to make an impact. "He is a great character to have in the squad. The determination he has shown is infectious and he has been a crucial player for us in the last two seasons. When we were under pressure he was brilliant. He was my go-to man with the ball or even the bat," Tare explained.