Internet Desk: It will be a homecoming for Gautam Gambhir when the two-time IPL-winning Kolkata Knight Riders skipper lead a strong Delhi against a depleted Karnataka in their Ranji Trophy cricket match at Eden Gardens tomorrow.
This will also be a comeback match for India pace spearhead Ishant Sharma after recovering from chikungunya that forced him out of the three-Test series against New Zealand, as group B leaders Delhi will be eyeing to consolidate their place atop the standings.
Former champions Karnataka will wear a depleted look as skipper R Vinay Kumar has joined Lokesh Rahul in the injury list and youngster Karun Nair has been named captain to lead the side for the first time in Ranji Trophy.
“It’s a huge honour for me to be captaining Karnataka. It’s a huge state and a lot of legends have led Karnataka. I want to express myself and do my best,” the 24-year-old told reporters.
Vinay Kumar suffered the injury in their match against Jharkhand in Greater Noida as he could bowl just 2.3 overs as either left-arm pacer S Arvind or youngster Ronit More could be roped into the playing XI.
Delhi had beaten Assam by an innings and 93 runs in their Ranji opener en route to log seven points with bonus in Vadodara.
They had to settle for one point against Maharashtra conceding first innings lead in a run-glut in Mumbai in the last match.
Lefthanded wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant has been in ominous form with his knocks of 308 and 146 to lead the run charts, while Gambhir’s presence on his familiar territory will make Delhi feel themselves at ‘home’.
Referring to Gambhir’s successful stint with KKR since 2011, former Delhi captain and coach KP Bhaskar said: “It is like a hometown for him… Yes, he has been giving us valuable inputs.”
This will be Ishant’s first match in two months as the lanky pacer’s recovery will be under scrutiny and if he gets into his rhythm he will certainly pose a big threat especially with the new ball on a relaid Eden turf.
Earlier this month, seamers dominated the proceedings grabbing 26 wickets in India’s win in the second Test against New Zealand in an otherwise spin-oriented three-match series as both teams will certainly weigh their pace options.
This will be Karnataka’s second match and they come here on the back of a solid performance against Jharkhand where opener R Samarth slammed a careerbest 235.
They have the experienced duo of Stuart Binny and Robin Uthappa who is also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders family.