But skipper says visitors won’t take depleted Delhi lightly in their Ranji Trophy Group B clash at Roshanara ground

Though it’s isolated from the dash of vehicles and the hectic city life, the Roshanara Ground has always been Delhi’s compulsion rather than choice. This time, it’s been more because of the unusable Ferozeshah Kotla that the Ranji team will turn to the venue for their first home match of the season starting on Tuesday against a Karnataka side boasting, among others, of Rahul Dravid.

Eight of Delhi’s best eleven are missing either through national duty or injury, and the count may well rise to nine with Aakash Chopra likely to miss out due to a dodgy knee. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra and Virat Kohli are away with Team India, Pradeep Sangwan will be playing for Board President’s XI against Sri Lanka, and Mithun Manhas and Chetnya Nanda are yet to recover from injuries sustained before the first match in Vadodara.

However, Dravid says his team are not taking the hosts lightly.

“Delhi are a depleted team. But we know that whatever side they field will be generally competitive. Also, we are playing them in their home conditions so it’s something we need to be aware of,” said the former India captain. “But we are very confident from the last game and a win here will really set us up for the season.”

The Delhi selectors have managed to erect a side that will have at least two debutants — batsman Ankur Julka and paceman Pawan Suyal.

... contd.