Rain threatens to play spoilsport in Corporate Trophy

Fringe India players are likely to be denied the opportunity to impress selectors as rain is threatening to wash out the first Group C match between Tata Steel and AIPSSB in the inaugural Sahara BCCI Corporate cricket tournament on Tuesday.

With no Sri Lanka or Champions Trophy-bound Indian players featuring in both the teams, the tournament opener match between Tata Steel and AIPSSB is a golden opportunity for the likes of Ramesh Powar, out-of-favour pacer Ajit Agarkar and ICL returnee Rohan Gavaskar to prove their mettle.

But the continuous downpour has not only cast a shadow over the opening game but also the entire leg of Group C scheduled to be held in the scenic hill town.

In case Tuesday's match is washed out, both the teams will split one point each. With rain showing no signs of relenting, there is a possibility that all the Group C matches could be abandoned and the toppers from the group, who will progress to the September 6 semi-final in Mohali, would have to be decided by spinning coins.

However, if rain relents, Tata Steel are the favourites for Tuesday's match as they have the likes of Gavaskar, Agarkar, Powar, Manoj Joglekar, Wilkin Mota and Sahil Kukreja in their ranks.

For Agarkar, Team India doors might have been closed with the emergence of Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and RP Singh, but the tournament comes as a great platform for him to prove his worth.

Another Tata player who has a point to prove is the legendary Sunil Gavaskar's son Rohan, who recently returned to the official fold from the Indian Cricket League.

The Tata side also boasts of all-rounders in Joglekar, Mota, Ishank Jaggi and Sahil Kukreja. Their bowling attack is headed by Agarkar and wily off-spinner Ramesh Powar.

AIPSSB, on the hand, start underdogs with no big names featuring in the side apart from former India pacer Debashish Mohanty. The team mostly consists of unknown domestic players who are yet to achieve anything substantial in their career.