Big battles in this war!

The Ranji Trophy semifinal between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu TN at the Mumbai Cricket Associationrsquos BandraKurla Complex ground starting today is not just a contest between two big teams but also a platform for many individuals to showcase their characterFor 41time domestic champions Mumbai this game provides an opportunity to continue their dominance and take another step towards lifting the coveted trophy which they last won in 201516 Sai Kishorersquos TN are also look to raise the bar and enter the final of the premier domestic championship in which they last played the decider in 201415 losing to Karnataka by an innings and 217 runs at the Wankhede StadiumRahane needs more runsOn the individual front all eyes will be on Indiarsquos allformat batsman Shreyas Iyer who was left out of BCCIrsquos annual contracts recently He has been practising hard in the Mumbai nets and will be eager to score big Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane who has managed just one halfcentury in the tournament will also be aiming for some big runsTN allrounder Washington Sundar left has a chat with Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur at the MCABKC ground yesterday PicSubodh MayureTwo India playersmdashMumbai pacer Shardul Thakur and TN offspinning allrounder Washington Sundarmdashwho spent a good amount of time with each other after their practice sessions on Friday will also be keen to give their best and catch the eye of the national selectors Both Mumbai and TN have matchwinning bowlers in their ranks TNrsquos two leftarm spinners Kishore 47 wickets and Ajith Ram 41 are leading the overall wickets chart this season But apart from Sandeep Warrier 23 no other TN fast bowler has been impressive Also ReadTamil Nadu bank on fingertip knowledge of coach Kulkarni to knock out MumbaiFor Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi and leftarm spinner Shams Mulani are consistent performers having taken 32 and 27 scalps respectively Offspinner Tanush Kotian who contributed an invaluable 120 not out in the quarterfinal against Baroda has 18 wickets to his name Pacers Thakur and Tushar Deshpande who have played three games have picked 11 and 10 wickets respectivelyIn the batting department both teams have a string of potential heavyweights However if the pitch remains the same green top which it seemed on Friday it will be a tough task for the willow wielders The hosts will depend on Test players Iyer Rahane and Prithvi Shaw along with Musheer Khan and Hardik Tamore who played crucial knocks against Baroda Though young opener Bhupen Lalwani was dismissed early 19 and six in the quarterfinal he still remains Mumbairsquos top rungetter with 518 runs and is expected to trouble the TN bowlers In the visiting camp wicketkeeperbatsman Narayan Jagadeesan 812 runs and Baba Indrajith 686 are the top rungetterslsquoThrilled to have IyerrsquoMumbai skipper Rahane admitted that Iyerrsquos presence will boost his teamrsquos morale ldquoHe Iyer is an experienced player His contribution to Mumbai has been amazing Whenever he has stood up for Mumbai he has done really well So I donrsquot think he needs any encouragement or advice We are thrilled to have him in our team for this semifinal A player like him can contribute with the bat and also his sheer presence around the players will really helprdquo Rahane told reporters on the eve of the match on FridayMumbai key batter Shreyas IyerSpeaking of his own struggles with the bat Rahane reckoned itrsquos just a phase ldquoI think therersquos nothing wrong with my batting Itrsquos just a phase and I have to respect this phase Be positive and back my game back my instincts Whatever experience I have I just have to go out there and play freely So therersquos nothing wrong with my batting or anythingrdquo he saidMeanwhile TN skipper Kishore praised the positive energy in his team ldquoWe have all played in finals and semifinals of whiteball cricket To do that in redball is more satisfying and gets the team together I feel the universe and God are great they have made sure things are happening There is fantastic energy in this team the universe and God will be on our siderdquo concluded Kishore