Ranji Trophy: JK take on Haryana on lively Lahli pitch today

J&K will be taking on hosts Haryana in their next Ranji Trophy match at lively wicket of Chaudhry Bansi Lal cricket stadium, Lahli on Friday.

Lahli pitch is known for its pace and bounce, favoring pacers and it is not going to be an easy outing for any batsman from both the sides on Friday. While for Haryana it is home turf, J&K batsmen who have looked vulnerable in the entire event so far will find it difficult to cope with bowler-friendly conditions.

   

Previously, J&K was known for its pace depth apart from few occasional batting displays. However, this season its pacers including ever-consistent Mohammad Mudhasir have failed to live upto expectations. It would be worth seeing how J&K pacers bowl on the lively Lahli pitch on Friday.

In Lahli the burden would be again on the shoulders of Mudhasir and one would expect Umar Nazir and Irfan Pathan to support him fully. J&K would also expect another good performance from pacer Akaash Chowdary who made an impressive debut in the last game.

In batting, J&K openers need to step up while as new entrants Pranav Gupta and Adityap Pratap need to justify their place in middle order. It would not be easy to play on Lahli wicket but opener Ahmad Omar Banday’s England experience may help him to play on this track. In the entire season so far it has been noticed that J&K batsman are more vulnerable to spin rather than pace and it should work in their favor on Friday.

Haryana squad boasts of some of the star players like Mohit Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and Amit Mishra. Despite boosting star players in the squad, Haryana has been inconsistent so far in the tournament. In the five matches played so far, they have won two and suffered defeat in two. They have been able to draw one and stand at fourth in points table with 15 points. J&K with seven points stand at eight place. They have suffered defeat in three and have won one. They have been able to draw one.

“It is not a hidden fact that Lahli favor pacers and is not easy to bat on. There is no final word yet what would be final combination for the team. The new entrants and Owais Shah may be given a go in the middle. The decision about inclusion of an extra pacer is likely to be taken tomorrow morning,” said a team official.

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