Gujarat chasing history against mighty Mumbai

Indore, January 9 

A gritty Gujarat eyeing their maiden title will pose a stiff challenge for record champions Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final beginning here tomorrow.

Both Mumbai and Gujarat go into the title clash in high spirits, having overcome a fighting Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, respectively, in the semifinals.

While 41 time-champions Mumbai will be the favourites, it will be a stern test of character for Gujarat, who are in their first final in 66 years. However, Gujarat have been on the rise, having won the Vijay Hazare last season and the Syed Mushtaq Ali title in 2012-13.

If Gujarat can display the same courage and determination that got them out of the woods earlier in the tournament, they have a fair chance of stopping Mumbai from defending their title.

The Parthiv Patel-led side has already suffered a blow with their frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah being unavailable for the big game due to national duty. The 23-year-old needs to be in Pune ahead of the first ODI against England on January 15.

Bumrah, alongside veteran pacer RP Singh, was the standout bowler in the semifinal against Jharkhand. His career-best 6/29 in the second innings paved the way for a 123-run victory after Gujarat had conceded the first innings lead.

In Bumrah’s absence, Mehul Patel, who has taken six wickets in three matches this season, is expected to share the workload with Singh and Rush Kalaria.

There will also be an air of familiarity when the teams meet tomorrow as they had faced each other in the group stage.

Gujarat walked away from that game in Hubbali in November with a psychological win as they took the all-important first innings lead by bowling out Mumbai for 422 in response to their first innings total of 437. The game also saw Gujarat opener and tournament’s leading scorer Priyank Kirit Panchal score his first double hundred of the season. — PTI