South Zone will look to set the record straight this year after last year’s dismal performance in the Duleep Trophy, as they take on West Zone for this year’s opener at the Motibaug Palace grounds here on Wednesday.The keeness of the South Zone team was very much evident in the practice session this evening. Skipper VVS Laxman had all his juniors bat first before giving himself a knock.South Zone coach Sharad Padnekar said, ‘‘No doubt, we will be missing senior players like Dravid, Kumble and Venugopala Rao. But we still a have a very young team and good players in Hemang, Sriram, Balaji and Laxman.’’While the South camp looked more focussed, West Zone’s practice session was an absolute contrast. With coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu leading aside a few players for fielding practice, others were resting aside. The whole team looked to be lacking in zest.‘‘We have won the Duleep Trophy just twice in the last ten years, which does not reflect well on the team. At the zonal level, you will have good players, but consistency remains the key,’’ said Sandhu. West Zone skipper Sairaj Bahutule said,‘‘We have a well-balanced side, with most batsmen in good knick. Things can only improve. And with Zaheer in the team, it will definitely boost the morale of the team.’’ Both the teams will be looking to bat first on winning the toss, as the track will be a slow turner and the ball will come on to the bat nicely. The onus is squarely on the batsmen.
