The Indian cricketing calendar is jam-packed with international matches, the IPL and other State-run T20 leagues in addition to multi-format domestic competitions.
Joining him in the landmark will be Mohammed Shami, whom East will depend on to reclaim the Duleep Trophy it last won at this venue in 2012. Still, the powers that be have tried to keep the legacy events alive through numerous tweaks. Padikkal, who recently scored centuries in both Tests against Sri Lanka, in which he was also the Player-of-the-Series, will look to continue his purple patch. The pacer bagged five wickets in the semifinals against Central Zone and would want to continue his fine show as he keeps banging the door for a return to the national side. Though Ishan Kishan’s men might look like the underdog on paper, the presence of teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gives the outfit an X-factor. A Sooryavanshi special in a big game in the longest format could be the perfect appetiser for the domestic season.
Back in the zonal avatar since last year, this prestigious tournament is now the curtain-raiser for the domestic season, the summit clash of which will see South Zone take on East Zone here at the MAC Stadium from Sunday.