The VRV factor could be big

Encounters between Delhi and Punjab have not been high scoring in the last five years, but there have been close finishes, with Punjab havin...

Encounters between Delhi and Punjab have not been high scoring in the last five years, but there have been close finishes, with Punjab having a 3-2 advantage.

The deciding factor in most of those matches was one good performance with the ball. Only in one match did any team score above 250. And Vikram Rajvir VRV Singh, who had impressed the national selectors with his speed during the Challenger Series, could be crucial as the teams face each other in this year8217;s Ranji one-day tournament at the Ferozshah Kotla on Saturday.

VRV, who missed the game against Haryana because of food poisoning, is fit and according to coach Intikhab Alam will be in the final XI. 8220;We might have to drop a spinner to include VRV and the final decision will be made in the morning,8221; the coach said.

Even during nets today, VRV troubled batsmen consistently with not only his speed but also the way he got the ball to move both ways. He, along with Gagandeep Singh, could prove useful as they tend to hit the pitch. They will be playing on the same pitch on which Delhi beat J038;K and where Ishant Sharma showed that hitting the pitch is a viable option.

8220;He has come back well after injury and is bowling well in the nets. All he now needs is a good run with the ball to be recalled to the national side as his name always does the rounds in selection meetings,8221; Alam said.

But then the surprise element this year could be Delhi8217;s newcomers. 8220;In the last five years we did not have so many changes, but Delhi this year have a number of new guys we haven8217;t played against. This could be crucial in the outcome as it we do not know much about them,8221; Punjab skipper Dinesh Mongia said.

Even coach Madan Lal acknowledges this fact and adds that the bowlers have to do a good job in the power-plays. 8220;Since Punjab have a good batting line-up it is important that the bowlers restrict the batsmen in the power-plays so that they need to take chances to get runs,8221; Lal said.

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According to him, if a team bats first a score between 250-275 could prove good enough as the pitch might offer some help to the spinners later in the game.