Ranji Trophy: It's Umesh vs Pujara as Vidarbha take on Saurashtra

Dropped from the Indian T20 squad for Sri Lanka, speedster Umesh Yadav will try to get back his rhythm with the red ball as he challenges a Saurashtra team having Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara in its ranks in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final starting here today

Vizianagaram (Andhra): Dropped from the Indian T20 squad for Sri Lanka, speedster Umesh Yadav will try to get back his rhythm with the red ball as he challenges a Saurashtra team having Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara in its ranks in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final starting here today.

Umesh Yadav

Pujara, a dependable batsman in the longer format would like to show his prowess in familiar surrounding as Vidarbha would need to have elaborate gameplan for the 'Rajkot Run-Machine'.

On paper, Vidarbha looks a more balanced side with domestic veteran Subramanium Badrinath leading the side. Not to forget the presence of former Test opener and Mumbai stalwart Wasim Jaffer, who can murder any bowling attack on a given day.

Former Karnataka player Ganesh Sathish making it a trio of professionals just like Rajasthan had Aakash Chopra, Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Hrishikesh Kanitkar during their dream run in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

However all eyes will be on Umesh as to how well he bowls after a disappointing Australia tour where he got dropped from the playing XI after the ODI series. Umesh is going to get quality support from off-spinner Akshay Wakhare, who has been among the top wicket-takers this season.

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