Kanpur : Buoyed by a thumping win over Bihar in their opening match, Uttar Pradesh will take on Goa in their second Ranji Trophy league match at home from Sunday.
UP began their campaign with a commanding innings-and-267-run victory over Bihar inside three days. The hosts will now look to maintain their winning momentum and add more points to their tally at the historic Green Park Stadium. Goa, meanwhile, will be keen to bounce back after suffering a setback against Baroda in their opening fixture.
Speaking to TOI, Pandey said the team’s morale was high after the emphatic win over Bihar and that the players were eager to repeat the performance. The players have been told not to underestimate their opponents, as any complacency could prove costly. The win over Bihar has boosted our confidence, but we must remember that all teams in the group are competitive,” he said. However, he said his team would approach the match positively and look to make the most of every opportunity. They just need to click,” Mongia said.
He added that all players were fit and in good health. Shivam Mavi has joined the squad in place of Prashant Veer, strengthening the bowling department. Pandey, however, cautioned his players against complacency. “I am focusing on my team and working to correct the mistakes committed in the previous match. Pandey described the pitch as a sporting one, saying it appeared to offer opportunities to both batters and bowlers. How effectively the two sides exploit the conditions will become clear over the course of the match. Meanwhile, Goa head coach Dinesh Mongia acknowledged that UP had a strong squad comprising dependable batters and bowlers who had proved their ability. “We also have a couple of star batters and good bowlers in our squad.