This story is from December 13, 2018

Ranji Trophy: Punjab seek rhythm, Tamil Nadu momentum

Placed in the middle of the Group B points table, Punjab and Tamil Nadu will both look to resurrect their Ranji Trophy campaign at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium from Friday.
Ranji Trophy: Punjab seek rhythm, Tamil Nadu momentum
Punjab players during team's net session/ (TOI Photo)
MOHALI: Placed in the middle of the Group B points table, Punjab and Tamil Nadu will both look to resurrect their Ranji Trophy campaign at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium from Friday.
Punjab are sixth with just nine points from four matches, in the last of which, Himachal Pradesh hammered them by an innings and 107 runs at home. On the other hand, after playing three draws and losing to Bengal, Tamil Nadu bounced back in style with a 151-run win over Kerala at Chepauk.
They stand fifth with 11 points in five matches.
Going by the form, Tamil Nadu can be considered mild favourites and an outright win against the hosts will put them at the top of the table. But Mandeep-Singh-led Punjab will look to go for the kill and break into the knockouts, as he mentioned in a pep talk. A day before the key encounter, the skipper had a 45-minute nets session. As the ball met the sweet spot of his bat, it was evident that the charismatic right-hander was in a good touch.
Looking at the amount of grass on the two-paced pitch from the last match, Mandeep said: "The surface can be paradise for fast bowlers. I think it will suit both teams. I'd like to assume that Tamil Nadu, too, will be going for an outright win. I am hoping for a good battle between bat and ball."
Punjab have added Manpreet Singh Gony to the squad to boost their pace attack but are uncertain about the availability of premier fast bowler Siddharth Kaul. Batsmen Anmolpreet Singh and Shubman Gill will join the team in the evening. Skipper Mandeep said: "We need the services of Sid (Kaul) on this surface but he is jetlagged. I will have a talk to him after the practice session. Let's see, I hope we have him in the squad tomorrow."
Shankar boost for Tamil Nadu

All-rounder Vijay Shankar has joined the visitors for the match against Punjab after a decent outing against New Zealand A. His presence will boost Tamil Nadu, who are looking for a back-to-back Ranji Trophy win in almost two years to qualify for the quarterfinals. Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who has allowed the 27-year-old to skip the practice session, said: "Shankar deserves some rest. He is match fit and that is fine by me."
Kanitkar appears confident before the match. "We have a very good combination of youth and experience," he said. "We won the last match, so momentum is also with us. The boys are eager to perform."
There is a slight injury concern for the visitors, as their middle-order batsman Shahrukh Khan took a T Natrajan rising delivery on the wrist. The batsman looked in sheer pain while watching the team practice from the sidelines. He had scored a feisty 92 not out against Kerala on his debut.
Tamil Nadu's off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar is also not travelling with the team because of an ankle injury.
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