Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 1: Beleaguered Orissa, who have had a poor run in the Ranji Trophy as well as the 50-over format this season will look to make some amends, when they take on Mumbai in their opening match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament at the Barabati Stadium here Saturday.
The hosts will meet the visitors for the second time in a T20 match. Orissa had beaten Mumbai by 15 runs at the DRIEMS Ground last year. This time Govind Poddar is leading the Orissa squad, while Aditya Tare is at the Mumbai helm of affairs.
Orissa cricketers had a good practice session Friday at the Barabati Stadium under the watchful eyes of head coach Debashis Mohanty for about five hours. Mumbai players also sweated it out at the same venue for three hours in the morning.
“Now we are completely focussed on the T20 event. Our poor performances in the season are history and we are looking forward with a positive frame of mind,” stated newly- appointed skipper Govind. “Mumbai are a strong team. But we have beaten them before. So, we are full of confidence but even then it’s hard to predict anything in T20 cricket. We will try our best to play as a team,” he added.
The visitors made it clear that they are not taking the hosts lightly. “We are not taking Orissa easy. They are playing at home venue so they have the advantage. But we will try to put pressure on them from the very beginning,” stated Tare. “The toss will play an important role and the pitch may turn as the match progresses,” he added.
In another match in the afternoon, Karnataka will face Services at the same venue. Meanwhile Uttar Pradesh will lock horns with Maharashtra at DRIEMS Ground.
