Defending champions West Zone will be taking on East Zone in the Deodhar Trophy final at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. The Yusuf Pathan-led side had pulled off a thrilling win against South Zone to set up a clash against Manoj Tiwary’s side from the east.
Speaking about East Zone’s run-up to the title clash, Coach SS Das said, “It should be a good game. We really played well in the semi-finals. We have a good bowling side with the likes of Ashoke Dinda, Veerpratap Singh. Biplab Samantaray too bowled well and with the other two spinners, I think it should be a good game.”
East Zone’s captain, Manoj Tiwary was the key to the team’s emphatic win in the semi-final. When asked if the team were over dependant on him, the coach said, “Manoj did exceptionally well. It was a great knock. Contribution from Saurabh (Tiwary) and the top-order will be crucial, because this is a big game where we will be looking to put up a good score in the innings.”
Speaking about opponents East Zone, West Zone’s key batsman, Ambati Rayudu too acknowledged the role of Manoj for the side in the clash. “Manoj Tiwary has done well. He is a brilliant batsman. I am sure we have enough good players in our team as well. If we can play as a team we have a very good chance to win the game,” the hard-hitting batsman said.
Assessing West Zone who had pulled a rabbit out of the hat in their semi-final, EZ’s coach said, “They are a good side. They are an attacking side. We have to be disciplined and fielding will be crucial tomorrow. Putting up a good score and fielding will make the difference tomorrow.”
Rayudu too hoped for better fielding performance in the crucial encounter. “Fielding wasn’t too bad but definitely we can improve. It’s just that it was the first game we all played together. I think in the final it will be better,” he said.
West Zone are upbeat after their thrilling victory over South Zone. Talking about the mood in the dressing room on the eve of the final, Rayudu said, “It was brilliant batting from Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) and Axar (Patel) and Shardul (Thakur) too. Winning games like this always boosts a team and the rest of us would like to contribute tomorrow.”
Rayudu also threw some light on the importance of a Deodhar Trophy final in his career. “It’s a very important and prestigious tournament to be honest. And I am really happy and honoured that I am representing West Zone. I have been part of the last two winning teams and hopefully we make it three.”
With the final being a day-night affair, East Zone coach SS Das expected the bowlers to get more movement in the morning instead of the afternoon.
