Ranji Trophy: Hyderabad set to host Tripura

 

Hyderabad have been perennial under-performers this season — drawing all but one of their six matches, with that one match too ending in defeat. They currently have a measly five points to their credit. 

 

The visitors, remarkably enough, have fared even worse, losing four of their six matches so far and drawing the other two for only two points in total. The way Hyderabad captain G.H. Vihari’s side have been performing this season, they cannot even be sure of hanging on to their second-from-bottom spot as, with an outright victory, Tripura stand a chance of moving up a place. 

 

Hyderabad will, however, fancy their chances against a side that is extremely low on confidence. The hosts too gave away the first innings lead in each one of their five draws.

 

Opener Akshath Reddy is the top-scorer for the home side with 470 runs at an average of 52.22. He scored one century and three half-centuries. In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Mehdi Hasan tops the chart with 14 wickets at 26.92 apiece while off-break bowler Vishal Sharma bagged 13 wickets so far at an average of 25.92. 

 

It would be interesting to see if this battle to avoid the bottom of the barrel will spur the hosts into putting on their best show so far this season.