Ranji Trophy: Buoyant Kerala faces a formidable Bengal challenge

Kerala will focus on its core strength and precise internal execution as it faces a formidable Bengal side in an Elite Group C Ranji Trophy match at the KCA ground, Mangalapuram here on Monday.

Rather than being overawed by the opponent’s reputation, the host carries the momentum of securing an innings win against Odisha into the four-day fixture against the former champion.

Kerala enjoyed a nearly flawless performance against Odisha, executing its game-plan to perfection. The team recovered brilliantly from the loss of early wickets to put up a total in excess of 400, powered by centuries from Sachin Baby and Mohammed Azharuddeen.

The spin trio of Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarvate and Vaisakh Chandran proved to be lethal on the helpful wicket at the Greenfield stadium.

However, KCA stadium presents a different challenge for the host which doesn’t have a good record here. While the surface offers early assistance to the pacers, it tends to favour the batters before the natural deterioration makes batting challenging on the final two days.

Consequently, Kerala’s tactical framework requires vital adjustments to counter Bengal’s deep batting line-up and potent multi-dimensional bowling attack. Bengal’s top order — led by captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami and Abhishek Porel — is in fine nick this season.

The Bengal pace attack spearheaded by Mohammed Kaif and potentially by Mohammed Shami, if he is fit to play on Monday, poses a significant threat given Kerala’s historic vulnerability against high quality pace bowling.

The spinners Shahbaz Ahmed , Pradipta Pramanik and Aamir Gani, who fashioned the comeback win against Services, are also capable of hurting the host.

Heavy rain on the eve of the match cancelled the net sessions of both teams. Given the likelihood of early moisture for the pacers, the toss will be crucial and both teams will seek a safety-first approach to minimise the top order damage. With Eden Apple Tom injured, Kerala looks a little weak in the pace bowling department which Bengal will look to exploit.