Cricket

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign has been a topsy-turvy affair so far, but they will be hoping to kick-start their season with a win against Odisha from Wednesday. The defending champions have been placed fourth in a group of eight, and their relatively inexperienced batting line-up will be banking on captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer to take the game away from Odisha.Iyer, who ended his three-year First Class hundred drought last month, will be making his return to the side after taking a break from the last round. His inclusion is a major boost for Mumbai, who will be looking to him to provide stability and experience to their batting order.Odisha, on the other hand, are yet to take off in this campaign. They have played three matches so far, losing two and drawing one. However, they will be confident of causing an upset against Mumbai, having beaten them in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year.The match will be played at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground in Mumbai. The pitch is expected to be a good batting surface, and both teams will be looking to post big scores.

Ajith Ram, a rising star in the Tamil Nadu cricket team, has emerged as a tireless workhorse in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament semifinal against Chhattisgarh. Despite the wicket offering little assistance to spinners, Ram has toiled relentlessly, bowling 42 overs in two days and claiming four wickets for 109 runs.Ram's unwavering determination to bowl long spells stems from his belief that it provides ample opportunities to outwit batters. "I love bowling a lot. Long spells mean more chances to pick up wickets," he said. "I enjoy the challenge of plotting a batter's dismissal."The 24-year-old spinner has carried his impressive form from the previous Ranji Trophy season into this tournament. He credits his success to his ability to adjust his bowling to the conditions and the batter's strengths. "When you bowl a lot in the long format, you can build up patiently for a batter," he explained. "I like that a lot."Ram's contributions have been crucial for Tamil Nadu, who are aiming to reach the final of the tournament. He has not only been economical with the ball but has also chipped in with valuable runs down the order. "It'll be better if I could contribute to the team with the bat," he said.Ram's performance has caught the attention of cricket pundits, who believe he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Tamil Nadu team and even the Indian national side. His ability to bowl long spells, control the run rate, and take wickets makes him a valuable asset to any team.As Tamil Nadu continues its quest for victory in the Buchi Babu tournament, Ram is expected to play a pivotal role. His tireless work ethic and unwavering determination will undoubtedly be key factors in his team's success.