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Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Assam will start its 2019-20 Ranji Trophy campaign with a home match against Services from tomorrow. The four-day match will be held at the ACA stadium, Barsapara.
Assam are placed in group ‘C’ in the competition along with Chhattishgarh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jhakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Services. Tripura and Uttarakhand.
Both Services and Assam faced each other last time in 2018-19 season and Assam lost the away tie by a huge margin of 10 wickets. Now it is to see what Sib Sankar Roy and his team can do in their home ground against the same opponent.
Talking to the media persons just after the training session at the ACA stadium today the head coach of Services Raju Singh denied that the result of previous game between the two sides could give Services extra edge in this match. “Past is past. It’s a new season and we are taking fresh guard. We will try our best to make a good start here which will help us to do better in the coming games.”
He also added: “Due to non availability of the ground the preparation was not up to the mark but it’s not an excuse. Boys are ready for the meet. The team, mixed with experience and youth, is well balanced.”
Meanwhile the pitch at the ACA stadium generally supports the pacers and Assam are likely to bank heavily on their pacers in the game. The return of Gokul Sarma, who didn’t play the recent T20 competition, would definitely boost the batting.
It may be mentioned here that like the earlier years this season also Assam are struggling in batting. They really need some good contribution from the top order to put big total on the board which can help the bowlers to get necessary backup for delivering spirited performance.
Meanwhile Ajay Ratra, the head coach of Assam, today refused to speak to the media on team’s preparation for Ranji trophy. Before leaving the ground he said, “As per the contract I can’t talk to the media.”