Will hosts knock ?final? ghost out?

WILL UTTAR Pradesh break the Ranji Trophy final jinx this time?

This has become a hot topic among non-cricketers, cricket fans and former cricketers in the State Capital.

But they all want Team India star and UP skipper Mohd Kaif to lay his hands on the coveted trophy as it will be for the first time in 71-year-old history of Ranji Trophy, if UP wins against visiting Bengal.

The fans are a bit disappointed after UP lost its first match of the season against Haryana in November at Kanpur, before losing the second match against Baroda at Ghaziabad.

It was Mohd Kaif, who all of a sudden turned Uttar Pradesh into a winning force once he led the side to a emphatic win against Hyderabad here last month in the fifth league match of the Elite Group B.

It’s calculation time for cricket lovers also. As soon as people came to know about UP’s convincing five-wicket win against Mumbai in the semi-final on Monday evening, they began the countdown, assessing the strength of both sides.

Young Sukesh is excited about the Ranji Trophy final here, saying: “I like the captaincy ability of Mohd Kaif as his field setting teaches me a lot.”

Former Ranji Trophy cricketer Neeru Kapoor, who is now a member of the selection committee, bets on UP as per their track record this season. “The team spirit is high and it’s the best time for UP in the domestic circuit.

“Title victory here will certainly break the doors of Indian team open for many State youngsters,” says Kapoor.

Another former Central Zone cricketer and UP’s own Ashok Bambi while lauding the role of Mohd Kaif in UP’s fascinating show this season, says that Kaif has transformed the home team into a winning combination and it’s a good sign for the State cricket. “A win here will change the entire scenario of UP cricket also,’ he adds.

The Cricket Association of Lucknow seems all geared up to hold the final match with fanfare even in the absence of its secretary KM Khan, who has mysteriously been missing since last month.