Uttar Pradesh start favourites vs Saurashtra

If not the names, what may definitely lend UP a feeling of optimism is that their team have this season performed as a unit.

“Whenever required, someone or the other put his hands up and delivered,” said skipper Kaif, who has himself scored 562 runs this season at an average of 70. Their rivals, on the other hand, relied mostly on the experience-youth mix of 35-year-old Sitanshu Kotak and Cheteshwar Pujara, 19, the only two batsmen averaging above 40 for Saurashtra.

Saurashtra’s bowling department revolves around the pace of Sandeep Jobanputra, who with 32 scalps is the leading wicket-taker in the two camps.

Under Mitra, the team has taken one step at a time. In his first year, they were in the Plate Group, next year they became Plate champions. The following year, they survived in the top division, and this year reached the semi-final after 27 years.

By now, Saurashtra have emerged out of the underdog tag, giving the traditional big boys a tough time.