Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: With no chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy, only pride will be at stake for Orissa when they take on hosts Rajasthan at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, Tuesday. This will be Orissa’s last Ranji Trophy encounter this season and they are currently a rung above Rajasthan in Group A. Orissa are currently lying sixth with 12 points while Rajasthan are on 11.
The hosts, however, will be on a high, winning their last game against Haryana by a flattering margin of nine wickets – their first victory of the season. Orissa on the other hand, will be trying to regroup from the loss they suffered against Bengal, after being bowled out for 37 in their second innings on a pitch which at best could have been described a minefield. But keeping apart excuses, any team that gets bowled out for 37 will suffer mentally. Orissa will have to get out of that mental block on a much better track at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium.
Since, Natraj Behera replaced Biplab Samantray as captain against Haryana, things have changed a bit for the positive. Natraj has regained his batting form and he demonstrated that with a masterly double hundred against Haryana. The Orissa bowlers have been in good form throughout the season and the likes of Basant Mohanty and Suryakant Pradhan have delivered on a consistent basis. But rarely has the batting and bowling come good together in one match. The Rajasthan game provides Orissa to rectify this defect.
In spite of all their internal administrative problems, Rajasthan are a team that should not be taken lightly irrespective of their form this season. The likes of Ashok Menaria, Puneet Yadav and VA Saxena have been in good batting form this season. All-rounder Rajat Bhatia, who is playing as a professional also is a force to reckon with in domestic cricket.
The advantage that Orissa have going into the game is the presence of Rashmi Ranjan Parida as the batting coach of the side. Rashmi played as a professional with Rajasthan (he won the Ranji Trophy title with them) and so he knows the in and outs of the hosts. His inputs will certainly help Orissa. But more than anyone, the players have to deliver, not the coach.
