Captain of Mumbai in the domestic circuit, Aditya Tare had stated that the four day Ranji clash against Baroda starting from Thursday would be a “special” one for their team which is also going to be the 500th first-class encounter for the 41 time Ranji Trophy Champions.
Tare will be lucky to have the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer in the team after their return from the national duties.
“It is a special game for us. It is a great feeling to be playing the 500th Ranji Trophy game for a terrific side. It is going to be a great game for us,” said Tare.
“We feel we are quite fortunate to be the squad that will be playing the 500th game. There has been a huge contribution right from the inception of Mumbai cricket. Fortunately, it is us who are playing the 500th game. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of the Mumbai team,” said Tare.
Mumbai is currently lying 3rd in the points table with 10 points while Baroda is in the 5th position with only four points in their kitty. Both the teams have played three matches each.
“There is going to be a great vibe to the game. But, we are going to treat it as just another game of cricket, which is important for us, and we want to win it. So, we will play with positive intent and hopefully try and get maximum points from the game,” said Tare.
“We are playing at the Wankhede after a long time. It is great to be coming back to the dressing room on the home ground. Obviously with a good strength in the squad as well,” he added.
Last year all the matches were played in neutral venues, but this year the rule has changed, and again the home and away system has made its return after the experiment of playing in neutral venues didn’t work.
“Every game from now on is important. We know that we have two teams ahead of us in the points table and we have to do the catching up,” he remarked about the close race to take the top two spots in the group table. We already have five hundred. Batting strength is good. We are in good form,” said Tare.
Baroda is without the two Pathan brothers, but Tare is still wary of the fact that what the new looked Baroda side can do.
“Baroda has always been a good team. A lot of cricketers come out of it. At the moment, they are a young team, but they are always dangerous. A few unknown players, you don’t know what their strength and weaknesses are,” said Tare.
Deepak Hooda will be leading the new looked Baroda side and will also have the Pandya brothers at his disposal. While Hardik Pandya has been relived from the international duties, left-arm spinner Krunal is recovering from an injury. Both the coach and the captain refused to say why the Pathan brothers aren’t part of the team.
“I don’t know what’s the reason. It’s an Association (Baroda cricket body) decision,” said Hooda. I look at it as any other game, (and), not as Mumbai’s 500th. I don’t follow the (league) table. It’s a good wicket for fast bowlers here. The ball will move,” he said.
“The coach and senior players have built the team in the side games. If you don’t fall, how do you learn?” he said when asked what will be the effect of the absence of the senior players.