Gambhir-led Delhi better-placed

Cuttack: On the Indian domestic circuit — irrespective of the outcome — a Delhi versus Mumbai encounter reflects the intensity and rivalry of an India versus Pakistan match. It’s not just about a win or loss. Always a lot more is at stake when these powerhouses meet on a cricket field.
One can predict the winner at his own peril but if their enviable form is anything to go by, it seems Gautam Gambhir-led Delhi are better-placed in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal starting at DRIEMS ground here Monday.They are up against a Mumbai side which has barely managed to advance to the knockouts.
While Delhi have won five out of the eight matches to top Group B with 37 points, Mumbai won only two and needed a first-innings lead against defending champions Karnataka in their last tie, coupled with favourable results in other Group A matches, to book a berth among the last eight.
However, you have to take into account that the 40-time champions have always been a totally different side in the knockout stage and Delhi coach Vijay Dahia is aware of the fact. On the sidelines of their practice Sunday, Dahia said, “It’s back to square one. We did play fantastic cricket in the group stage but that matters little in the knockouts and that, too, against a team like Mumbai. We have to play much better than what we did in the last eight matches to beat them. We are confident we will do that as we have a very good in-form side led by Gautam.”
Mumbai captain Aditya Tare reflected on their pedigree. “For Mumbai, you are either champions or losers. Playing well doesn’t mean anything for us if we don’t win the crown. It’s true we didn’t have a good run in the group stage but now we are in the knockouts and it’s like a new beginning for Mumbai. We don’t want to look behind,” he elucidated.
Though he did not come for practice on Sunday, for Delhi, return of Virender Sehwag will certainly be a big boost ahead of the tie. They are going to rely on their spinners to take wickets on a track which looked to be well prepared for a five-day grind. Present at the venue to look after the pitch, east zone head curator Ashish Bhowmick said, “The track is very well-prepared for a five-day match. It will have something for all. The groundsmen here have done a very good job.”
Delhi’s left-arm orthodox duo of Manan Sharma, Varun Sood, and off-spinning all-rounder Shivam Sharma are expected to play key roles, while Mumbai will look at pacers Shardul Thakur, Balwinder Singh Sandhu (jr) and left-arm tweaker Harmeet Singh to deliver the goods. In batting, Suryakumar Yadav will be Mumbai’s key while Delhi have players like Gambhir himself, Unmukt Chand and Sehwag.
Though there won’t be any fireworks in the stands since this is a neutral venue, there is no dearth of crackers in the dressing rooms, waiting to burst.