Goa set for fresh challenge

The top two teams from each zonal competition qualify forthe Vijay Hazare all-India tournament. Goa will have to give it their best shotto break through from the web of mediocrity; it has often found itself stuckinto. And if we go by what Goa achieved in this season's Ranji Trophy, thereseems a positive base for former Test cricketer-turned-coach Ganesh to workwith.

Goa remained unbeaten in their 8-match Group C campaign inthe Ranji Trophy four-dayers, garnering 16 points to finish sixth in thenine-team table. The final statistics do not tell us the real story though. Goacould have at least won two of their all eight drawn games, and had thathappened, the Sagun Kamat-led side could have finished higher up in the group.Goa dropped some crucial catches, and paid dearly for their mistakes therebybeing unable to force outright victories. Moreover, the team looked short of onewicket-taking bowler. But then, shorter-format of limited overs cricket, isaltogether a different ball-game.

"Indeed it is a different ball-game, but we cannotafford to make the same mistakes that we committed in the longer format. We areputting a lot of emphasis on fielding. In the 50-over game, fielding becomes acrucial aspect. As far as this camp is concerned, we are working on overallconditioning of the players. 30 boys are in the camp which includes theunder-22 players as well. We are keeping an eye on all players, and all of themare looking for an opportunity to do well for the state," says coachGanesh on the sidelines of a practice session.