Upbeat Baroda ready to face Haryana test

Vadodara: Fresh from their outright win over Madhya Pradesh, a confident Baroda will lock horns with Haryana in a third round Elite Group match of Ranji trophy from Thursday.

With seven points from two matches, Baroda are certainly the favourites against Haryana who have managed only two points from two matches. It is expected that Baroda will be using the same strip that they used during their 8-wicket win over MP. The strip will certainly suit their pace attack that comprises of India discard Irfan Pathan, Murtuza Vahora and Firdaus Bhaja all of whom bowled well in the last match. In fact, the last match could well be called the return to form for Irfan Pathan who got a five-for after a long time. Elder brother Yusuf would also like to get a big score under his belt with the ODI series against West Indies coming up. Another person who would like to make a mark will be left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt who hasn`t got chance to bowl much save the second innings against Madhya Pradesh. Among the Baroda batsmen Ambati Rayudu and Aditya Waghmode would like to continue their good form. The Haryana team will depend on their skipper another India discard Amit Mishra along with the likes of Sachin Rana, Priyank Tehlan. PTI