Goa players celebrate a wicket against Rajasthan at Academy ground, Porvorim.
Photo Credits: Basil Sylvester Pinto / File photo
PANAJI
Goa will need their bowling unit to perform as a collective unit and their openers to be among the runs, if they are to stop high-flying Kerala in their fourth round Ranji Trophy Elite 'C' group encounter which commences at St Xavier's KCA Cricket Ground, Trivandrum on Tuesday.
Goa enters this fixture on six points, after holding Karnataka to a draw in Porvorim, and thwarting the visitors' bid for an outright win. Goa will need to put in a vastly improved showing against Kerala, if they have to match their opposition tooth for tooth, nail for nail, and aim to stay in the hunt for a top-two Group 'C' finish. On the other hand, Kerala secured a convincing eight-wicket win against Chattisgarh at the same ground.
Goa will need their experienced openers, Amogh Desai (104 runs in 5 innings) and Sumiran Amonkar (110 runs in 5 innings) to deliver and the onus is on them to put on a solid foundation. In their First Class campaign, the duo have had an underwhelming run and will be under pressure. Both have a best of 41, in their respective first innings in their last away game in Jamshedpur. This was the Goa innings in which the pair put on their only substantial opening stand of 78 runs this season, but were to depart within 5 runs of each other.
On the brighter side, one-down Suyash Prabhudesai has been in good form, and captain Darshan Misal is in good nick as well. Misal led from the front with a resilient 95 against Karnataka while Suyash stroked fine fifties in each essay (87 and 61*).
The Goa attack looked well below average in their last game and needs to collectively perform if they have to challenge a strong Kerala batting unit. Misal had a reasonably good outing with the ball in the last game, while his spin twin, Redkar needs to rework the magic that he showcased in his initial two outings of the season. Pace spearhead, Garg will need to show more discipline and potency and Tendulkar bowl with a consistent line and length if they are to trouble the opposition in their own conditions, particularly with the new ball.
Goa are likely to bring in right-arm off-break Shubham Desai for his second Ranji game for pacer Felix Alemao in conditions favourable to spinners. Lad is expected to have additional responsibility with his useful off-breaks as well.
While Kerala's batting order looks rock-solid, Sijomon Joseph will be the stand-in skipper, with Sanju Samson doing duty for the India side. Seasoned professional allrounder Jalaj Saxena is the top wicket-taker with 26 wickets at this stage of their Ranji campaign. The slow bowler had returns of 5/48 and 6/75 in their last game in Thumba against a competent Chhattisgarh side and will be itching for an encore.
Goa head coach Mansur Ali Khan, speaking to 'The Goan', conceded that Kerala will be a tough team to beat at home. "Kerala have played good cricket and they have won two outright matches too. The wicket is dry, hot and humid in Trivandrum which will augur well for the spinners. Kerala are prepared for that, and in their last game against Chattisgarh at St Xavier's ground they played four spinners to win the game." Meanwhile, Kerala head coach Tinu Yohannan, opined Goa will be not an easy opposition. "In the last few years, Goa has been rebuilt. There have been a few good players that have been phased out. Goa has shown a lot of character in the last few seasons. We played them in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this season. I felt they are a fighting side and are tough to beat in any conditions. As a unit, they are well-balanced. Goa, in a few years to come, if their management is in place can be a good side to reckon with in the country," Yohanan declared.
