Tamil Nadu will begin their quest for a third Ranji Trophy title under familiar environs of the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

The title round that has rightly generated good interest will be contested by sides who have taken the glaringly contrasting routes. Tamil Nadu’s entry to the knockouts was a smooth flow while Rajasthan squeaked through with a marginally better run quotient.

What has worked for the hosts is percentage cricket replacing needless exuberance. Flair has been central to their game in the past and one that has undone starts.

The visitors have reaped the rewards for tight cricket. From the obscure Plate Division to winning the title last season and proving it was no fluke by reaching this stage, Rajasthan can be proud of their achievements and the methods that have worked for them.

On paper there is little to choose between the two units. Tamil Nadu’s batting looks solid with four internationals decorating the top order.

The lower order has shown pluck and the bowling unit has rallied brilliantly to compel attention. L. Balaji is not going to be short on experience.

It is crucial game for openers M. Vijay and Abhinav Mukund and also for the experienced pair of Dinesh Karthik and S. Badrinath as a win here would mean an extra first class fixture in the Irani Trophy.

This team has played enough at this level to address the various demands a final could throw.

Ironically it was the selection of V Yo Mahesh and R. Prasanna that met a lot of criticism but the two have turned out to be the fulcrum of the team. The support cast in J. Kaushik will also have a key role to play along with R. Aushik Srinivas.

Rajasthan have had some exciting individual performances that have added substantially. Seamer Rituraj Singh and batsman Robin Bist have played their parts to perfection. Seniors, Aakash Chopra and Pankaj Singh and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar have all contributed immensely as well.

The missing link for Rajasthan could be a quality spinner to exploit the conditions on the last two days where the wicket is expected to aid turn. Left-arm spinner Gajendra Singh with an average of 75.71 is expected to be played ahead of leg spinner Vivek Yadav. Along with Pankaj, Sumit Mathur has carried the attack manfully and a lot will depend on how the duo handle the new ball.

Medium pacers from both sides have done well and the firm looking wicket here should provide them with something to work with. A good start is crucial and the team batting first will carry a slight edge. Tamil Nadu have made two changes to the squad but are likely to field the same team that beat Mumbai in the semi-final.

Squads

Tamil Nadu: L. Balaji (C), M. Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, S. Badrinath, KD Karthik, R. Prasanna, K. Shri Vasudeva Das, V. Yo Mahesh, J. Kaushik, R. Aushik Srinivas, Sunny Gupta, M. Kaushik Gandhi, B. Aparajith, Sunil Sam, Malolan Rangarajan.

Rajasthan: H. Kanitkar (C), Aakash Chopra, Vineet Saxena, Robin Bist, RR Parida, Puneet Yadav, D. Yagnik, Pankaj Singh, Rituraj Singh, Sumeet Mathur, Gajendra Singh, V. Deshpande, Shamsher Singh, Vivek Yadav, A. Choudhary.
Umpires: Peter Hartley (Eng) & Vineet Kulkarni.
3rd umpire: SK Bansal.
Match referee: Rajendra Jadeja.

Schedule: 9.30am-12noon. 12.40pm-2.40pm. 3pm-4.30pm.