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[caption id="attachment_26427" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule in discussion with captain Manoj Tiwary. File Pic[/caption] Internet Desk: It will be a battle for supremacy in Group A as Bengal takes on Gujarat at the Feroz Shah Kotla in a Ranji Trophy tie starting from November 05. Both teams are on 15 points after playing 3 matches. But Gujarat find themselves topping the table due to a better run rate.

Gujarat will be bolstered by the inclusion of India cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel who recently played the ODI series against New Zealand. Bengal on the other hand will get the service of Pragyan Ojha who did not play the last match against Railways due to stiff neck. The left arm spinner has fully recovered from his injury. With both teams likely going in with a full strength squad, it promises to be an exciting four days of play.

Both the teams practiced together at the Kotla. Bumrah and Axar Patel, both trained with the Gujarat team. The strip at Kotla produced a whopping 1236 runs in the last Ranji Trophy match played on this ground between Punjab and Baroda. As many as three batsmen returned with double century scores. Deepak Hooda of Baroda missed a triple century by 7 runs while Yuvraj Singh (260) and Manan Vohra (224) both scored double centuries. Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule feels if the wicket stays the same then the match will be decided on the first innings lead.

According to Bahutule, “We did not get an opportunity to look at the wicket. If the nature of the wicket is similar to the one on which Baroda-Punjab match was played, then the match will be decided on the basis of first innings lead.”

The Bengal coach did admit that Gujarat will be a tough opponent.

“Gujarat is definitely one of the toughest sides in the Group. They will be further strengthened with the inclusion of Bumrah and Axar. Then they will have the services of experienced pro RP Singh. But that will not stop us playing the brand of cricket we have displayed. We will continue to play fearless cricket irrespective of our opponent.”

Bahutule also added that his team will be paying the due respect to Gujarat, “We would like to give due respect to Gujarat. At the same time we will stick to our game plan.” said the Bengal coach.

Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel is happy to see the back of Axar and Bumrah in the side. “We will definitely be strengthened with the inclusion of Axar and Bumrah. All we are focusing at is finishing the group stages on top.”