Manoj Tiwary
Manoj Tiwary might be called in the playing XI to replace Yuvraj Singh (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The last time when Delhi and Bengal took on each other in Ranji Trophy, Gautam Gambhir was the captain of Delhi Ranji trophy team. The contest was played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium and Rishab Pant was making his first-class debut.

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Gautam Gambhir Delhi Ranji Trophy 2017/18

The match came into limelight for the spat between Gautam Gambhir and Bengal captain, Manoj Tiwary. Both had hurled out hard words at each other and also invited fines. While Gambhir was docked 70% of his match fees, Tiwary was fined 40%.

In the 2016 IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders, unsurprisingly, did not bid for Tiwary with Gambhir at the auction table and he went unsold. In 2017 IPL though, Tiwary played for Rising Pune Supergiant, and in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders, both of them shared few words; which again drew limelight.

Two years later after their previous Ranji game, both Delhi and Bengal will be up against each other in the semifinal of Ranji Trophy 2017/18 and on the eve of the game, Tiwary reminded Delhi of the previous contest and has termed his team as the favourite,

“I am sure some of the players from Delhi remember our previous encounter. This time, we want to do better. With Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammad Shami joining the team, it makes a huge difference to Bengal’s prospects. We are clearly the favourite. Delhi is a young team with some exciting frontline batsmen. They have a decent attack too. If you compare Delhi’s batting and Bengal’s bowling we are better. All the players are keen to prove ourselves in this big game,” said Tiwary.

Though Bengal has got likes of Mohammed Shami and Wriddhiamn Saha straightaway ruling Delhi out of the contest may not be a wise thing to do. The Rishab Pant led side has done well enough in the ongoing season, and the success of the team has been heavily depended on the newcomers.

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We Are Clearly The Favourite Against Delhi, Says Bengal Captain Manoj Tiwary
Photo credits:(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Ishant Sharma’ addition could have been a big boost for the side. Still, Delhi will not let the chance go away.

Bengal skipper, Manoj Tiwary has already raised expectations by delivering the punch ahead of the game, and the result would be the most interesting to see.

Sourav Ganguly, CAB’s President, will join the team on the first day of the contest to support his side.

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