PANAJI
Goa are riding a tidal high as they move from the coast of Thumba and return to their coastal State. Fresh from their convincing seven-wicket win over Kerala at Trivandrum, they are expected to carry the momentum against a struggling Pondicherry in their fifth round Elite 'C' group fixture which commences at the GCA Academy Ground, Porvorim on Tuesday.
Goa have found a left and right-hand combo at the top of the order, with southpaw Ishaan Gadekar making a dream debut in the away game in Kerala. Gadekar showcased the maturity of a seasoned campaigner with a fine hundred and half-century - to first set up the game, and then carry his side over the finish line. His senior partner, Amogh Desai will look to establish his position as an opener, and make good of his starts.
Captain Darshan Misal has been leading from the front with his all-round wherewithal, while off-spinner Mohit Redkar is having a fine first season, and had a six-for in Kerala's second innings. Pace spearhead Lakshay Garg has been doing well too. Suyash Prabhudesai, who has been short of runs in away matches, is back at his favourite hunting ground where he has scores of 212 (v Rajasthan) and 87 and 61* (v Karnataka). Snehal Kauthankar will be eyeing a return to bigger scores too and no better opposition and conditions to favour him.
It will be interesting to see if Goa retain their winning XI and thereby their third spinner, in off-break bowler Shubham Dessai, who bowled well in helpful conditions at Thumba, or favour a third medium pacer as in the earlier matches of the season in Porvorim. Goa have switched between right-arm medium pacers in Ruthvik Naik and Felix Alemao as their third quick in home fixtures, but the addition of Vijesh Prabhudessai in the squad could indicate he may be an option.
Goa have rewarded left-handed opener Manthan Khutkar with a maiden Ranji call-up rewarding the Kalay-Sanguem 23-year-old who had an impressive century (103, 223b, 9x4) against Maharashtra in Solapur in the U-25 Multi Day Col. C K Nayudu Trophy.
On the other hand, Pondicherry will expect big performances from their vastly experienced professionals in middle-order batters, Paras Dogra and K B Arun Karthick. While Dogra has been woefully out of touch with a best of 38 this season, their keeper-batsman Karthick seems to have turned around a corner with a 53 and 130 in their last encounter against Services at Palam. On their bowling front, slow left-arm orthodox Sagar Udeshi has had a bagful of wickets (21), and he would have to shoulder a lot of responsibility in the attack despite conditions not expected to offer him much help.
