Parthiv Patel-led West Zone will take on Central Zone, who will be led by Naman Ojha in the first match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Inter-zonal T20 tournament. In the ongoing 2016-17 season there will be zonal teams – West, East, North, Central, South which comprise of the best of the lot from the particular zone battling it out for the title. Ahead of the tournament, state teams of each zone played against each other and the performers from the various state sides of a particular zone have been picked for the respective zonal team.
Speaking about the format ahead of the tournament opener, Parthiv said, “It’s good to play against the best. Almost everyone who is available will be playing, so a very important tournament when it comes to assessing yourself against the best. We are looking forward to playing this.”
“After playing the domestic games, where you have done well for your state side, you get to play another quality side. The new players will get time to assess themselves how they have done well against international players,” he observed.
East Zone skipper Manoj Tiwary too echoed his thoughts while stating, “It is challenging to play amongst and against the best of the lot. It is a very competitive tournament. Lot of zones have got lot of quality players; lot of current India players are also taking part. So obviously it is a challenge.”
Speaking about his own side, the all-rounder from Kolkata said, “As you know there are not many stars in our team. I am very sure that a star will be born here from our side this time. People will recognize them (the talent) when they see our games in the tournament. I am looking forward to this tournament eagerly.”
Naman Ojha, who will be leading the Central Zone also reiterated the same when he mentioned, “All the best players are coming here so I think it is a very good tournament to play.”
Speaking about leading the side after Suresh Raina became unavailable, Naman said, “I was leading the Madhya Pradesh team and we have done well and topped the tournament. Also I have played with all the players so it is not something very new. I am looking forward to it.”
Speaking about the opposition for their first game, Naman, who led Madhya Pradesh in the inter-state T20 said, “In the T20 format every team is dangerous and we have to play every team as if they are the best team in the tournament.”
His opposite number, Parthiv too reckoned that all teams are an equal threat. “Obviously they are a good side. Everyone who has been there and thereabouts (is there). All the teams are well-balanced. Hopefully we’ll start on a winning note,” he said.
Parthiv’s side also has amongst its ranks Kedar Jadhav who made a big impact for the national side in limited overs. Speaking about the asset to the team, he said, “He has had a brilliant one-day series with the bat and ball. He has been bowling well and not many knew it but because we play against each other quite a lot being from the same zone – he has been bowling well in the domestic games. But to bowl well in international games and batting as well is incredible. I am not surprised with the way he has batted. He has scored a lot of runs against a lot of good sides. For West Zone, I have seen him getting hundreds in 60-odd balls. It’s great to see that quality getting transformed into international cricket as well.”
Reflecting on his team’s composition, Parthiv said, “We have always been a very good side. We have won a lot of zonal tournaments. Even in Ranji, there has at least been one side playing the final. And we gel well together; we play a lot of cricket together. There are a lot of cricketers from my U-19 batch who are here together. And then coming to Wankhede is a great vibe.”
