Two teams with matching firepower will come face to face when hosts Delhi take on an impressive Tamil Nadu in what promises to be a battle of equals in a fourth round Ranji Trophy Group B encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla starting Saturday.
Both Delhi and Tamil Nadu have eight points each after third round of matches but the hosts are placed second on the points table on account of a better net run-rate while Tamil Nadu occupy the third spot. The two sides match up pretty well as both boast of an impressive batting and bowling line-ups which promises an engrossing four-day tie.
Having lost their first match against Uttar Pradesh with a full-strength side, a relatively younger side led by Shikhar Dhawan made amends against minnows Odisha by pocketing seven points.
However, their last match against Baroda ended in a barren draw with both teams getting a point each after the hosts were unable to surpass the visitors’ first innings total of 561. Delhi’s listless bowling display against Baroda raised many eyebrows as they conceded runs in excess of 500 with only Parvinder Awana making a statement with a four-wicket haul.
Last year’s finalists Tamil Nadu, on the otherhand, might miss the services of their regular opener Murali Vijay, who is currently on national duty for the second Test against England which started in Mumbai on Friday. However, the right-hander is not a part of the playing eleven.
If Vijay is not released by the team management ahead of tie against Delhi, then visitors may well go ahead with Arun Karthik to partner Abhinav Mukund at the top.
Promising youngster Baba Aprajith has been in great form and he, along with Dinesh Karthik, Mukund, S Badrinath and few others, could turn the strategies of Delhi bowlers upside down.