Pragyan Ojha’s participation remains in doubt for the final of the Kapathi AGS-all-India Buchi Babu final against TNCA President’s XI, beginning Saturday. Hyderabad’s star left-arm spinner is indisposed.
The contest, to be played at the Kalpathi-SSN ground, will be between two teams seeking answers to vexing questions ahead of the domestic season.
Given that the State is searching for bowlers of some quality, many in the President’s XI will be keen to grab the attention of the selectors. Paceman Sunil Sam and left-arm spinner Rahil Shah have been among wickets, but the side conceded nearly 400 against Gujarat in the semifinals. Holes will need to be plugged.
In batting, the strokeful M. Shahrukh Khan impressed with a century in the last four duel.
Abhinav Mukund, comeback-man K. Shri Vasudevadas and skipper R. Prasanna have made runs as well.
The host, however, has to avoid mini-collapses such as the one against Gujarat that forced the last pair to pull off a last gasp win.
For Hyderabad, captain P. Akshath Reddy is in fine form at the top of the order.
The side has displayed the ability to fight back too – the eighth wicket pair of Ashish Reddy (105 not out) and Mehdi Hasan (74 not out) – settled the issue when everything appeared lost against Mumbai.
The Hyderabad bowling could be stretched though if Ojha is absent for the title clash.
