Hyderabad confident of big win against Gujarat

Hyderabad, Dec 8 (UNI) Hosts Hyderabad were confident of gaining maximum points in the four-day elite Group-B Ranji Trophy Cricket Championship against Gujarat beginning here tomorrow.

Hyderabad skipper Anirudh Singh is on song after a century (114) against Maharashtra at Karad and a half century (87) against Rajasthan at Jaipore and is looking for another good score at his home ground.

Speaking to UNI Anirudh said he was happy to see opener D B Raviteja (84 Vs Maharashtra and 99 Vs Rajasthan) and Arjun Yadav making use of the first batting. He was delighted to see A T Rayudu cracking half century and a century (62, 110) against Rajasthan.

Pragyan Ojha the left arm spinner who had taken six wickets against Maharashtra and seven against Rajasthan, was raring to go against Gujarat, he added.

He said, ''We are hoping to gain maximum points from this outing.

We will take advantage of playing at home ground''.

On the other hand, having lost to Rajasthan by 138 run in the very first match and conceded first innings lead to Punjab, Gujarat is now looking to pick up at least a couple of points in the absence of Hyderabadi big gun V V S Laxman, who has gone on national duty.

Their right arm medium pacer Hitesh Akash Majmudar, who picked three wickets in the previous match, was satisfied with the sporting pitch prepared for the match.

Hyderabad: Anirudh Singh (capt), Alfred Absolom, Ibrahim Khaleel, Pragyan Ojha, D B Ravi Teja, A T Rayudu, P Indrasekhar Reddy, P Kaushik Reddy, A Shiv Shanker, P Sashank Nag, N P Singh, T Suman, D Vinay Kumar and N Arjun Yadav.

Gujarat: P A Patel (captain), A A Bilakhia, A A Christian, K A Damani, H A Majmudar, A M Makda, J T Makla, N D Modi, L A Patel, N K Patel, S G Patel, T K Patel, A Singh, B D Thaker, H H Watekar.

UNI XR GKT PM RAI1917