Mumbai Lions Wisely Choose Wankhede To BKC!

Finally, a Mumbai player and its captain Siddhesh Lad expressed happiness at returning to the Mumbai Cricket Association’s primary venue in South Mumbai — the Wankhede Stadium — to play a Ranji Trophy match. For years, the Mumbai team preferred to play the Ranji Trophy at the suburban venue at the Bandra-Kurla Complex. But the new domestic season, which gets off the ground on Sunday (Oct 11), will see the 42-time champion team take on Chandigarh at the ‘D’ road venue in Churchgate. Runs scored and wickets taken at a Test match venue — regarded by none other than Michael Atherton as a great venue for the game — carry their weight and value. The Wankhede tests first-class cricketers; a good one will prosper. Its red soil base helps the bowlers as well; ask Ravichandran Ashwin! Both the home and visiting teams will enjoy their success twice over. Even the senior national selection committee will reward players who do well at a Test venue. Mumbai players, many of whom are in the upper band of talent, have a chance to grab their opportunity. Lad at 34 has been named captain; he was a budding talent, but he may have missed the big-league bus. When on song, he is a delight to watch. Lad said the team feels good to be back at the Wankhede, and as a youngster, it was a dream to play there. “We are all looking forward to playing at the Big-W”, Lad said. The shift from BKC to Wankhede will motivate the players who wear the Lion crest with pride. For the Chandigarh team, the four-day match will be memorable, but Lad and his team will hope for a strong start.