Ranji Trophy: Bengal, Maharashtra look to strengthen knockout chances

KOLKATA: It’s a top-of-the-table clash and the outcome of the Bengal vs Maharashtra Ranji Trophy match could very well strengthen one side’s chances of a knockout berth from Elite Group ‘C’.Securing a victory ahead of the tournament’s more-than-a-month-long break will place either Bengal (18 points) or Maharashtra (12 points) in a significantly more comfortable position.On current form, Maharashtra must play out of their skins to snap Bengal’s winning streak. Maharashtra’s bowling coach Samad Fallah, who once famously dismantled Bengal in the 2014 Ranji Trophy semi-final by picking up 10 wickets in the match, agreed. “I have told my boys that this is an opportunity to stand up and be noticed against a strong side like Bengal,” he said on Sunday, the eve of the match.The hosts will be back at Eden Gardens for the first time this season after having beaten Delhi in their opening home game at Kalyani. The team has shown resilience in overcoming tough situations to record a hat-trick of wins so far. But coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla is strictly guarding against complacency. “We are in good touch, but there’s still a long way to go,” Shukla cautioned, keeping his players firmly focused on the challenges ahead.Most importantly, in spite of missing two of their star pacers – Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, who are doing duty in New Zealand – Bengal have been able to pick up 20 wickets in all their games. Both their pacers and spinners have delivered when needed.However, batting remains a primary concern for the coach. “Yes, I agree our batters need to play better. They are trying their best and I am hopeful that runs will flow from everyone,” Shukla stated.Maharashtra will be eager for skipper Prithvi Shaw to provide a solid platform at the top. “We all know about Prithvi’s class. He’s got a 70 this season and I think a big knock from his blade is just round the corner,” Fallah hoped. However, Ankit Bawne, Harshal Kate and wicketkeeper-batter Saurabh Nawale have all scored heavily for Maharashtra so far.Both camps expect a sporting track which has little grass on it. Bengal will opt for three pacers and two spinners, thereby going for one change from their last game with pacer Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal coming in place of off-spinner Aamir Gani. However, in case Mohammed Kaif, who suffered a head injury in the last game, fails to recover fully, left-arm pacer Geet Puri will get a look-in.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.