RANJI TROPHY | Host Bengal will try to make an impactful start to the season against Delhi

Even though previous season’s semifinalist Bengal appears to be a heavyweight against Delhi, a team which last made it to the knockout stage in 2017-18, both sides should begin their Ranji Trophy campaign at the Bengal Cricket Academy here on Sunday on an even keel.

With the availability of its international pace trio, including Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, Bengal will try to make an impactful start to the season.

Seasoned spinners, orthodox left-armer Pradipta Pramanik and off-spinner Aamir Gani, both making a comeback, will complete a potent home attack.

Led by opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, the home team will field debutant Ankur Paul apart from an experienced batting line-up, comprising Sudip Gharami, Sudip Chatterjee, wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel, who is out on bail after being arrested on an alleged rape charge, and Sumanta Gupta.

The side will miss veteran middle order batter Anustup Majumdar, who called it a day and switched to coaching.

“We will focus on our strength,” said Bengal head coach L.R. Shukla.

Returning as Delhi’s head coach with an aim to revive its fortunes, Vijay Dahiya asked his players to look at the gains. “We are facing an India attack and should give our best. There couldn’t have been a better start to the season. We need to play intelligently,” said Dahiya, whose first target is to help Delhi reach the knockout stage.

Familiar names, including skipper Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Anuj Rawat along with last season’s prolific scorers Sanat Sangwan and Ayush Doseja, give Delhi’s batting a stable look.

Experienced pacer Navdeep Saini, who will lead the touring team’s attack, should stand up and guide his younger colleagues in the bowling department.

Both teams will wait to see how the fresh pitch behaves in the backdrop of occasional rainfall in the last few days.