Ranji Trophy: Mumbai to clash with Uttar Pradesh at Wankhede Stadium

Uttar Pradesh’s India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar during a practice session at Wankhede yesterday. Pics/Shadab Khan

Thanks to outright wins over Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, Ajinkya Rahane's Mumbai team are leading the Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘B' with 20 points.

In complete contrast, Mumbai's next opponents Uttar Pradesh (led by international Nitish Rana) are struggling at fourth place with just five points from their first three games. Both teams clash at the Wankhede Stadium today.

Coach Joshi wary of hosts

Former national selector, Sunil Joshi, who is UP's head coach, admitted that playing against Mumbai at home is a big challenge for any team.

"Mumbai are a special team for everyone. They have won the Ranji Trophy maximum number [41] of times - do well against Mumbai and you play for India," was the former left-arm spinner's message to his team. He added: "One or two big performances against them and players go to the next level. It's a great opportunity to perform in front of the Wankhede Stadium crowd [too]," Joshi told reporters on Thursday.

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Opener Aryan Juyal, 22, who scored 115 against Kerala, is UP's top-scorer with 198 runs from three games. India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 33, who played just one game - against Bengal - is leading UP's bowling charts with eight scalps.

"As a team, we are looking good. We have the players. Bhuvi and Sameer Rizvi are back. Some of our players - Kuldeep Yadav, Rinku Singh, Yash Dayal, Dhruv Jurel, Saurabh Kumar - are on national duty which is a great thing. But it's an opportunity for the rest of the players to raise their hands and emerge successfully. It should be a good game; I am looking forward to it," Joshi remarked.

UP have experience: Dhawal

Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who will be playing his 95th Ranji Trophy game, insisted that the hosts will have the same winning intent. "UP are a good team, they have experienced players. Nitish is playing this year. Bhuvneshwar and Ankit Rajpoot are there too. But Mumbai are in good form, playing good cricket; won the last three games outright.

Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni will be playing his 95th Ranji tie today

"But we never get complacent and will play this match with the same attitude of staying in the present. It is important to play as a team. Mumbai are known to perform as a team and we showcased the same approach in the last three games," said Kulkarni.

The Mumbai bowlers have done exceedingly well by claiming 20 wickets in all the three games. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and pacer Mohit Avasthi have played vital roles by claiming 17 and 16 wickets respectively.

Kulkarni, 35, wants Avasthi to keep performing. He looks in good rhythm and hopefully continues with the same form throughout the season. If he keeps performing like this till the final, he will Zprobably be in the reckoning [for India selection]. He is a sharp in-swing bowler, who hits the pitch with good pace and has the experience of performing well at this [first-class] level," Kulkarni remarked.