Mumbai, Dec 24: Mumbai have beaten Punjab in the last league match of the Ranji season by nine wickets despite the absence of key players like Abhishek Nayar, Ajinkya Rahane, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rohit Sharma and Iqbal Abdulla; each of these players was either unavailable, injured or rested going into the encounter.
Coach Sulakshan Kulkarni was pleased with the performance of the playing XI and felt that the new entrants gave Mumbai more options as they entered the crucial knockout phase.
Excerpts from his media-interview:
On going into the quarterfinals with a win
Before going into the knockouts, [a win] always gives you happy memories and the confidence [to do well]. I am really happy [with] the way we played cricket; in spite of having two injured players on Day 1, we could do this. [It’s been a] very good performance.
On Sushant Marathe and Avishkar Salvi’s injury status
Sushant will be all right in another seven or eight days and even Avishkar [is] not [suffering from a] serious [injury]. [But it’s a] tight situation; I can’t say [whether they will definitely play the quarterfinal]. The doctor will take a call but they should be okay.
On Abhishek Nayar’s injury status
Nayar is all right. […] You will see him on December 29. […] Dhawal [Kulkarni] is back.
On Praful Waghela’s performance
All the players who have played this game have performed very well. All the players, I don’t want to say only Praful, the entire team – Kshemal [Waingankar], Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Jr).
On whether Balwinder Singh Sandhu Jr. was the biggest gain from the match
Yes, he exploited the conditions very well, particularly the Wankhede pitch on Day 1. And Kshemal also bowled really well.
On fast bowling being a worry for Mumbai
Kshemal also bowled well, he picked six wickets and Ballu has picked up six wickets. Out of twenty, these two new bowlers picking up 12 wickets is a good sign for Mumbai. Plus we have Dhawal and Abhishek who are fit for bowling in the next match.
On whether Ankeet Chavan’s performance offers the team a new option
It [makes for] healthy competition [within the team]. It [also] gives an option for the next match. It’s a good opportunity for us to select the best possible option. It gives us a good balance. If you get a turning track, you might play with three spinners.
On Mumbai not being able to break Punjab’s last-wicket stand for a while
Sometimes you will take time. [The opposition] have also come to play [good] cricket. If we expect a wicket to fall every 15 or 20 minutes, then we are demanding too much. The wicket had also slowed down a little in the second innings. […]
On whether he was happy with Hiken Shah’s keeping after Marathe’s injury on Day 1
Very much, it was a big bonus. I did not know [he could do so well]. He told Wasim [Jaffer] that he could [keep wicket]. He has already kept wicket for Customs [, his employer]. It was [a] good [discovery].
