Not a sideshow this time

Remarkably,none of last years semifinalists are among the top ten teams this time around. The churning in international cricket has been obliquely mirrored in Indias domestic scene. And with the pre-season seedings going out of the window after the zonal competitions,the BCCI has been forced to draw lots to decide the knockout teams. While Hyderabad have upstaged limited-overs giants Tamil Nadu,unfancied Maharashtra,Madhya Pradesh and Assam make rare knockout appearances. And unbeaten Delhi were among the teams that forced to play the pre-quarters.

All eyes on Awana

On Monday,when Delhi take on Assam,the selectors might well be focussing on Delhi seamer Parvinder Awana,who has run through his North Zone opponents this season,taking three wickets in each of the four matches he played in the league phase,averaging 8.58 continuing from where he left off the first-class season,in which he took 35 wickets at 25.20.

Maharashtra left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar has similar figures. Having taken 42 Ranji and Duleep wickets at 20.38 this season,Darekar has shown he can hack it in the limited-overs format as well,with 12 wickets in four games in the West Zone league phase,including a five-for against Mumbai. Mondays other pre-quarterfinal will pit the 23-year-old against Punjabs misfiring skipper Harbhajan Singh,who has taken just two wickets in five matches at 92.50.

The likes of Awana and Darekar arent the sort of talents that typically catch the eyes but deserve a closer look for their consistency. Like Stuart Binny,for long viewed as an unfulfilled talent but rediscovering himself this season. Binny ended the Ranji Trophy as Karnatakas highest run-getter and second-highest wicket-taker,and has a strike rate of over 150 and five wickets in four games in the shorter version.

Apart from these,the knockouts will contain a number of familiar fringe faces. Rohit Sharma joins the Mumbai squad in an effort to regain some form ahead of the Asia Cup. Since his ouster,Ajinkya Rahanes form has dipped alarmingly,with his four innings fetching him only 38 runs. Rahane will be desperate for runs in his teams quarterfinal against Karnataka.

In the other camp,Robin Uthappa has done better,with 292 runs,including centuries against Andhra and Hyderabad. Uthappa has worn the keeping gloves as well,but a more realistic backup for MS Dhoni would be Wriddhiman Saha,who impressed during the Adelaide Test and has 278 runs for Bengal in four innings.

Vijay Hazare trophy: step towards the big league

The knock-out stages of the premier limited-overs domestic tournament will see a variety of players from erstwhile superstars to current Team India members,IPL hopefuls and first-timers. A look at those who will be in action over the next week:

Team India in action: Rohit Sharma is the big name for Mumbai while Bengal has confirmed the presence of Manoj Tiwary and Ashok Dinda for a game before leaving for Bangladesh on March 9. Rahul Sharma will be in action for Punjab on Monday in the pre-quarterfinals and the quarters.

Fringe benefits: Ajinkya Rahane would be keen to make an impression as vice-captain Mumbai and Pragyan Ojha will be keen to restore his reputation as Hyderabad make it to the knockouts. All eyes will also be on Robin Uthappa,who made a guest appearance in a T20 game for India after a long gap,and Manish Pandey.

Experienced hands: Harbhajan Singh,Sourav Ganguly and Ajit Agarkar will lead their respective sides,while Ashish Nehra,Shikhar Dhawan,Wasim Jaffer and Sanjay Bangar will also be seen in action.

Mondays matches: Assam vs Delhi at Feroz Shah Kotla; Maharashtra vs Punjab at Palam