Mumbai, Mar 6:
Tamil Nadu coach Woorkeri V Raman does not view either defending champions Karnataka or his team as favourites when they cross swords in the five-day Ranji Trophy final commencing at the Wankhede Stadium on March 8.
“There’s no such thing as an underdog or a favourite. It will be a battle of confidence (of Karnataka) against a side which is willing to fight (TN),” the former India opener told reporters after a four-hour training session by his team at the venue.
While Karnataka have won the title last year, their seventh title since their maiden one in 1973-74, TN had last won the trophy for only the second time in the tournament’s history way back in 1987-88 when Raman was a playing member.
“Two good sides are playing and you will expect a competitive game,” he said while dismissing notions that the holders had an edge after having beaten his team in the league phase comprehensively at Bengaluru.
“That was three months ago and since then lot of things have happened in terms of both sides progressing. We are looking ahead and not back,” said the former left handed all rounder.
According to the 49-year-old coach, the side which seized crucial moments in the game would have an edge.
“As I see it the team which is able to identify key moments of the game and try and do what’s supposed to be done will have the last laugh.
He remarked that Karnataka had not won games on a canter in the later part of the league phase and had to fight hard at times.”
“Karnataka have not been on a canter (later on). Mumbai had the better of them (at the Wankhede in league phase) and then they had to fight hard and there was no walk in the park. This also means they know how to handle such situations.”
“They are a good side. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose. We have come through lot of difficult phases and the team evolved as the tournament went on,” he added. (PTI)
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