Moin-ud Dowla to light up city
With the All India Moin-Ud Dowla Gold Cup cricket tournament kickstarting from Friday, all eyes will be on the city sides who have more than a point to prove when they take field.
Hyderabad, former Ranji Trophy champions, faced an embarrassment last year when they were relegated to the Plate division. M.P. Arjun, part of the Ranji team that had failed to make the cut in 2009 said he is more than ready to give his best and show that Hyderabad has the firepower to play at the highest level. “Ups and downs are part of any sportsman’s life and the only way for us is to go up and that can happen if we start performing well on the field. We did not have too much practice due to the rains in the city but are up for the task and show that teams from Hyderabad have the ability to do well. The performances will count if the team starts to win,” said the skipper of HCA XI.
Alfred Absolem, who will turn up for the HCA Colts XI in the tournament felt that it was a good chance for every player to stand up and deliver. “Moin-ud Dowla has always helped those players who have done well in the tournament to bag a place in the Ranji side. It is important to maintain a consistent show,” Alfred said.
Venkatapathy Raju, who will coach the HCA XI in the tournament was keen to see some good performances.
“The selectors have picked three very balanced sides and it is an opportunity for everyone to prove their mettle. After what happened in the Ranji trophy last year, all players need to pull their socks up and do well. After Moin-ud Dowla, we have the zonals and it will be a good opportunity for the players to give an account of themselves,” Raju said.
Tirumalsetti Suman, skipper of the HCA Colts XI said he was looking forward to putting up a good show in the tournament. “The preparations have been good and we will be hoping to put up a good solid performance,” he said.
The tournament will also see young guns in the form of G.H. Vihari and Akshath Reddy.
The three teams from city in the fray — HCA XI, HCA President’s XI and HCA Colts XI — will look to make amends for the poor outing last year and Moin-ud Dowla gives them the required platform to set the stage ablaze.
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