What
The 2012-13 Irani Cup between Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai and Rest Of India.
When
February 6 to 10, 2013.
Where
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The Teams
Mumbai
The hosts and Ranji champions, Mumbai, have been dealt a blow ahead of this match in the form of an injury to their captain, Ajit Agarkar. The pacer will miss the match due to a groin injury, which he suffered during the Ranji final. All-rounder Abhishek Nayar will lead Mumbai in his absence. Mumbai will also be without their leading pace bowler, Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from the calf injury that kept him out of the Ranji knockout matches.
In the absence of the experienced pros, Dhawal Kulkarni is expected to lead Mumbai’s pace attack with the aid of Shardul Thakur. While Mumbai’s bowling wears an inexperienced look, the return of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma has bolstered the already solid batting that boasts the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer. Fresh from their 40th Ranji Trophy title victory, Mumbai will be a force to reckon with against a strong ROI side.
Rest of India (ROI)
Led by Virender Sehwag, the ROI team is packed with players of international pedigree who are fighting their way back into the national team and upcoming cricketers hoping to be recognised as Test talents. With the selection of the India squad for the home Test series against Australia looming, this one-off match is as important for them – if not more – as it is for Mumbai’s domestic players.
Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh have expressed their desire to utilise this game to pave their way back into the Test team. For Manoj Tiwary and S Sreesanth, it will be a double test – of form and fitness – as they return from injuries.
Key Players
Mumbai
Facing quality ROI bowlers on a sporting Mumbai wicket will present the perfect opportunity for Sachin Tendulkar to get back to international cricket mode with a big series in sight. With young batsmen finding their feet in Test cricket and the team struggling of late, Tendulkar will be well aware of the importance his runs hold to India’s fortunes. The champion batsman will be keen to dust off his poor form while also helping Mumbai reiterate their authority on the Indian domestic circuit.
Dhawal Kulkarni is riding high on confidence after claiming five-wicket hauls in the semi-final and final of the Ranji Trophy. The young pacer would be excited to bowl to the likes of Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina on the seam and bounce-friendly Wankhede track.
Rest of India
Like Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag too is going through a rather elongated drought of runs at the international level. A big score in the match and some quality time with Tendulkar off the field discussing batting will augur well not only for the dashing opener, but for Team India as a whole.
Harbhajan Singh missed the plane to Australia last year but the feisty off-spinner will be desperate to face his favourite opponents at home. With 16 wickets in five matches at a modest average of 32.25 in the Ranji trophy, Harbhajan needs to produce one of his special performances in the Irani Cup to convince national selectors that his vigour and guile hasn’t died out. A glimpse of the old Harbhajan Singh who tormented the Aussies in his pomp should be enough to give him his 100th Test cap at the end of this month.
The Squads
Mumbai: Abhishek Nayar (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dhaval Kulkarni, Kaustubh Pawar, Hiken Shah, Aditya Tare, Ankit Chavan, Javed Khan, Shardul Thakur, Vishal Dabholkar.
Rest of India: Virender Sehwag (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Harbhajan Singh, S. Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, Ishwar Pandey, Abhimanyu Mithun, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Jalaj Saxena.
