Spin, summit and Gymkhana showdown as Hyderabad hosts Punjab

Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill have left their domestic sides for India’s tour of New Zealand, but sparks will fly as Hyderabad hosts Punjab in a top-of-the-table Ranji Trophy Elite Group-B clash at Gymkhana from Monday.

Hyderabad, having beaten Tripura and Andhra, has brought in Mudassar Hussain as Siraj’s replacement. Punjab, which defeated Chhattisgarh by seven wickets after Assam put up a stubborn fight in its opener, has added Anshul Chaudhary, Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa and Raghu Sharma, with Gill and Gurnoor Brar making way.

A turning track is expected, and Punjab is unfazed. “Even we’re fine with a spinning surface. I don’t believe in playing on flat tracks. We believe that there should be a result [to the contest],” Punjab head coach Amit Uniyal told The Hindu.

Hyderabad’s primary weapon remains Tanay Thyagarajann: most wickets (20), best match figures (31-4-98-11 vs. Andhra) and best strike-rate (17.5, among bowlers with at least 20 overs). With Aniketh Reddy and Ruthik Yadav also in the mix, the trio faces a side that has already scored five centuries.

“Most of our batters are taking responsibility. Anybody who is getting set is trying to finish the game. If you’re taking responsibility and building partnerships, you can obviously score big,” Amit said.

The Hyderabad batters can take heart from the three centuries Punjab has conceded. K. Himateja, fresh from his match-winning knock against Andhra, will lead its charge with the willow.

Amit acknowledged Hyderabad’s threat. “Since the time Ambati Rayudu joined (HCA), Hyderabad has been doing well. It has won both matches, and the confidence must be high. It doesn’t matter who wins, as long as cricket does.”

Punjab, though, will want every possible point, having endured a three-season lull. Meanwhile, Hyderabad, which now has an extra home match (vs. Chhattisgarh), will look to cement its place at the top as it chases a first knockout berth in a decade.