Kolkata: The 12th edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy is all set to begin from January 10-31. Confident Bengal side will be eager to start on a winning note when they take on a well-prepared Odisha in their campaign opener on Sunday (January 10) at Jadavpur University Second Campus ground in Kolkata.
Newly appointed Bengal skipper for the meet Anustup Majumder is confident about the team doing well, “I am confident about the team doing well. We all are very excited for the tournament and at the same time I am excited for my new role as captain of the team. We have a good combination of experienced and young players who have come up from Bengal T20 challenge.”
“For me every opponent gets same priority in T20 cricket. For days match my words would’ve been different, in this format the game can change in an over,” he said about Odhisa.
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Bengal squad had a good preseason under the watchful eyes of experienced VVS Laxman and head coach Arun Lal and certainly have upper hand over Odisha due to the recently concluded Bengal T20 Challenge tournament which kept them in rhythm and the home conditions.
Bengal coach Lal said, “I am very buoyant about this team. I am very hopeful that we’ll do a good job, We’re a good side. Only eleven players can play for the team but if one player misses out, another one coming in for him is as good. We have a good reserve bench, that certainly gives you confidence.”
When asked if there’s a chance to see any new face on the field tomorrow and the wicket, he further said, “Yes, certainly there’s a chance. The wicket is going to be good. It’s going to be very competitive. Some of then night matches might have a little dew problem, other than that it’s going to be good.”
In the batting department Bengal have experienced campaigners newly appointed skipper for the meet Anustup, Manoj Tiwary, Sreevats Goswami, Vivek Singh and Sudip Chatterjee while having youngsters like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Kaif Ahamed, Ritwik Roy Chowdhury will give the side a good balance.
Shahbaz Ahamed is expected to play a key role for Bengal as the young all-rounder is in terrific form since last season and have had a fruitful Bengal T20 Challenge leading his side to championship while other Bengal all-rounders Arnab Nandi, Writtick Chatterjee and Md Kaif are also in good form.
On the other hand, led by Subhranshu Senapati Odisha will be prepared to throw challenge towards Bengal and along with Subhranshu, Biplab Samantray will also play a key part for Odisha with the willow.
“The mindset is always positive no matter who is the opponent. We always focus on our strengths, not on the opposition’s. Generally our maximum focus is on what we do best and try to replicate that. Odisha is a hard competitive unit, we played Ranji quarterfinal against them last year and at a point of the game we were 60/6. We recovered from there in that match but they are a tough side. Also in T20 you can’t take anyone lightly because anybody can beat anybody on their day,” said the Bengal coach about their approach and the opponents.
In the bowling department Bengal can enjoy of Ishan Porel’s return after rehab at National Cricket Academy (NCA) and Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Prayas Roy Burman are also in fluent form while Pappu Roy, Govinda Poddar will boost Odhisa’s bowling side.
