Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa — on paper, the absence of these stalwart players certainly takes some of the sheen away from the upcoming Bengal-Karnataka Ranji Trophy semi-final clash. Both camps, however, have taken the star players’ absence in their stride.Instead, as Venkatesh Prasad’s Team Karnataka lock horns with Paras Mhmabrey’s resurgent Bengal outfit in the five-dayer starting tomorrow at Eden Gardens, the teams are turning to their regular performers in the highly-anticipated knock-out tussle that is also being dubbed as a battle of wits between two top-class coaches. As coach Prasad put it following his team’s last round of nets at the Eden on the eve of the match: “Both teams are playing without the big names. But that’s where the silver lining is. It’s a chance gifted for the regular and reserve players to stand up and be counted. Karnataka would have loved to have particularly Anil in the team, but you have to understand that he needs rest and we respect the decision to keep him out of this match.” A close analysis shows that the visitors are certainly conceding the edge to the hosts, with the key trio of Kumble, Dravid and regular opener Uthappa being kept out of the circuit for national duty. In that sense, Bengal, too, will feel the pinch a little, if not more, with Ganguly missing this match that will be played on a wicket that promises some swing as well as plenty of runs. Bengal skipper Deep Dasgupta, however, put up a brave face, explaining: “There’s no point in looking back and worrying about missing the big players. Just like Karnataka — the big names got to play only a few matches — we too have played well in most of the matches without Sourav. So, let’s take it sportingly and look up to our regular players to deliver.” Both Bengal and Karnataka have had a similar run in the Ranji Trophy league phase, but the mode of achieving success has been contrasting. While last season’s runners-up Bengal have banked largely on their fast bowling battery spearheaded by Ranadeb Bose, Karnataka have responded as a unit under the guidance of the experienced Prasad. On the prospect of taking on a team relying heavily on pacers, the Karnataka coach reckons that his team’s homework has been adequate. “We are aware of Bengal’s fast bowlers doing much of the job this season. But our homework too has been intense. The biggest plus point is, given the way we shaped up for this semi-final, we could have taken on any team, why just Bengal,” the former India U-19 coach said. Bengal’s success this season has been much about Bose, who has 38 wickets in the tournament. And backing him well is the young speed duo of Sourav Sarkar and Ashok Dinda, who have 29 wickets between them. The success has come despite ace pacer SS Paul sitting out with injury. In contrast, Karnataka will sorely miss the injured NC Aiyappa, although his pace partner Vinay Kumar and left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi have made up for much of the loss taking 50 wickets between them. It’s less of a contrast when it comes to the batting department. Karnataka hold a distinct edge though on this front, with captain Yere Goud, stumper Thilak Naidu and C Raghu amassing plenty of runs. Bengal have a worry or two if their batting stalwarts of the season Manoj Tewari and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala don’t fire.
