Thane’s Dadoji Kondadev Stadium is gearing up for a riveting encounter as Baroda locks horns with Punjab in Match 18 of the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023. The match is scheduled for Thursday, November 23, with an expected start time of 9 AM IST. Both teams will be keen on securing a victory in this important fixture of India’s domestic cricket calendar.
Initial assessments of the pitch conditions at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium suggest that batsmen padding up first could have an advantage. Historical data from the last ten matches indicates that the average first innings score sits at 148, and the team batting first has clinched wins in 63% of contests. This might encourage the captains to opt for batting upon winning the toss.
Spinners are likely to find assistance from the track at the stadium, and this could potentially influence team selection and match tactics. The weather on the day is expected to be hot, with temperatures hovering around 37 degrees Celsius and a humidity level of 29%, conditions that might challenge the stamina and endurance of the players.
With a balance of skill and strategy, the BAR vs PUN Fantasy 11 team shapes up to include Vishnu Solanki taking the wicket-keeping duties. The batting line-up features capable batsmen such as Mandeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Anmol Malhotra, and Bhanu Pania. For all-rounders, the versatile Abhishek Sharma and Krunal Pandya are the top picks due to their dual potential with bat and ball. The bowling arsenal comprises Lukman Meriwala, Siddarth Kaul, Harpreet Brar, and Mahesh Pithiya. While Abhishek Sharma leads as the Fantasy team captain, Krunal Pandya supports as the vice-captain.
Historically, the head-to-head records in One Day matches between Baroda and Punjab are evenly matched, with both sides having secured two victories apiece out of four confrontations. The highest score achieved in these clashes was 249 by Baroda and, interestingly, Baroda also has the lowest score of 81. With each team having won twice while batting first, the upcoming contest is poised to be an intriguing battle.
Coming into this match, Punjab holds a psychological edge over Baroda, having recently defeated them in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. This victory might influence the prediction as Punjab is considered favorites for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy clash. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and Baroda will be looking to leverage their strengths and stage an upset.
For cricket enthusiasts eager to stay updated with the latest events and schedules, including that of the World Cup 2023, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter along with the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS serve as prime sources for sports news and updates. As Match 18 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 approaches, expectations are high, and the excitement is mounting for what promises to be a captivating day of domestic cricket in India.