The two-day final, beginning Friday, between TNCA President’s XI and Uttar Pradesh CA in the Kalpathi-Buchi Babu tournament at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium promises to be interesting.
The host possesses experienced campaigners in paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji and batsman Subramanium Badrinath. The side also has the young Baba Indrajith who has been in roaring form in the competition with three nineties and a hundred which came in the semi-final against TNCA XI.
Opener K.B. Arun Karthick has been among big runs. The side, however, needs a sizable contribution from his left-handed partner Abhinav Mukund.
Off-spinner Malolan Rangarajan, operating with consistency, has been impressive in the attack. Paceman Sunil Sam is a much-improved bowler. With the pitch expected to offer some bounce, Uttar Pradesh could play paceman Ankit Rajput. Young left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has been humming in the attack. He has been supported admirably by the tight left-arm orthodox spin of Saurabh Kumar.
In batting, in-form opener Tanmay Srivastava represents a threat for the host. Skipper Mohammed Kaif — he has led the side well — adds weight to the line-up. — Special Correspondent
