A match about individual aspirations

It will be a big match for the openers. Rest of India openers Aakash Chopra and Cheteshwar Pujara will be hoping for a fine run against Mumbai, with an eye on India’s home and away engagements later this year. And considering that India’s mainstay opener Wasim Jaffer happens to be in the rival camp, this could be a perfect chance for the selectors to compare the Test hopefuls with the Test regulars.

There’s competition in the pace department too. Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel have both major tasks at hand. The former wants to prove his form, and the latter wants to clear doubts about his fitness as well as form.

Then there are the two young left-armers Pragyan Ojha (Rest) and Iqbal Abdulla (Mumbai). While Ojha has performed well for India A, Abdulla’s record in the under-19 has been flattering. With the selectors drafting in old India hand Murali Kartik in the ODI side today, it is clear that the decision makers aren’t yet sure about the talent of the youngsters.

Strangely, the two captains here — Amol Muzumdar and Mohammad Kaif — don’t have the spotlight on them. Despite Muzumdar’s good season with the bat, he hasn’t been able to impress the selectors and the same is true for Kaif.