Akash Deep Declares 'I Am My Own Competitor' as Bengal Open Ranji Trophy Season Against Delhi in Kalyani

Bengal Set for Fresh Start at Kalyani

Bengal return to their cricket academy ground in Kalyani — the very venue where their Ranji Trophy dream came crashing down in February — hoping to make a fresh start when they take on Delhi in their opening match of the new season on Sunday.

Last season, Bengal suffered a semifinal defeat to eventual champions Jammu & Kashmir despite securing a first-innings lead. This time they will look to turn the page at the same ground, with history offering an added incentive: Bengal's last Ranji Trophy triumph came in 1989-90, when they defeated Delhi in the final.

Delhi Turn to Vijay Dahiya

Delhi, meanwhile, have turned to Vijay Dahiya, reappointing the former India wicketkeeper as coach ahead of the campaign. Dahiya had guided Delhi to their last title in 2007-08 and will hope to revive a side that has struggled to progress beyond the group stage in recent seasons.

"Nothing happens overnight. I am here to see the team is moving in the right direction," Dahiya told TOI.

Dahiya gave full respect to Bengal's star pace duo, who will be joined by another experienced pacer in Mohammed Shami. Bengal will look to make a strong start, especially as they will be without their star pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, who have been picked for the 'A' side for the New Zealand tour from the next match.

Akash Deep: 'I Am My Own Competitor'

After spending eight months on the sidelines with a lower-back stress injury, Akash Deep returned with a match haul of 6/68 to help Rest of India beat Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup. The seamer believes he has regained his rhythm and pace.

"I am my own competitor. I am not worried about what the other bowlers are doing. You can never play cricket thinking about who will replace you. What I can do is produce a better version of myself and I am fully focused on doing that," he said.

What's at Stake

For Bengal, a fast start at Kalyani would go some way toward burying the disappointment of last season's semifinal exit, while the incentive of a first title since 1989-90 adds extra weight to the occasion. For Delhi, the challenge under Dahiya is to rediscover the consistency that has eluded them in the group stage in recent years. With the pace attacks on both sides in focus and Akash Deep declaring himself ready to compete only against himself, the season opener promises to set the tone for both camps.