Mumbai, Dec 20: Punjab will play their last league game of the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium between December 21 and 24. While the hosts are through to the quarterfinals, the visitors need to take at least three points from the upcoming game to qualify for the knockout phase.

Ahead of the crucial encounter, former India player and current Punjab coach Vikram Rathore spoke to the media about the his team’s approach and composition.

Excerpts:

On the match against Mumbai

We need to take three points at least.

On facing Mumbai in a crucial game to qualify for the knockouts

You are right, it’s a crucial game: we need to get three points. So far we have been playing a little up and down cricket, but in the past few games I think we have improved as a team. We had a good game in Rajasthan, we had a good game in Karnataka. If we bat to our potential there is no reason why we can’t get three here as well.

On whether it was intimidating to play Mumbai at home

Not really. It’s the way you want to look at it. I am telling my team [that] you should look at it as an opportunity. Getting runs against Mumbai in Mumbai is always better. It is recognised more, it is reported more [and] more people watch it. [It’s a] good opportunity, I would say.

On whether Rahul Sharma’s presence adds depth to the bowling

Yes, it does. He is bowling well [and] he has done well for India in the one-dayers. Somebody like him in the team, who is really motivated and who is trying to make an impression on the game, [is really handy].

On the absence of Harbhajan Singh

Somebody like Harbhajan is important for any team he plays for so losing him to injury is not great; but then Punjab is used to playing without Harbhajan. He’s been available [after a long time] [before the latest injury]. I know he is a big, big player but Punjab knows how to play without him.

On the batting line-up

We have a young batting side and this year we have scored runs almost everywhere, so yes, that’s one big positive. Unfortunately Mandeep Singh is still not fit [and] he might miss the game. He is a very important player but [is out with] injury again [and we] can’t help it. Even without him we have been batting very well.

On captain Uday Kaul

Uday is the most senior player for the team. He has been playing for Punjab for the last five or six years. He is the most consistent batsman Punjab has had for a long time. This year also he has batted well.

On Manpreet Gony

Gony is not here. Unfortunately he has injured himself so he is one player we will be missing. He has a side strain [that he sustained during] a game against Rajasthan. He pulled his side [muscle]. He is, I think, out for three or four weeks.

On losing a few players to injury

Lots of injuries, yes, especially fast bowlers [like] Gony, Love Ablish and [Balbirsingh Sran], who would have been our first three bowlers, are not here.

On aiming for three points despite the injuries

Yes, we are. We have been batting well; batting has been our strength and batting is almost everybody’s strength there [in the Mumbai side] also.

On whether they have the pacers to replace their injured bowlers

It’s never easy, but we hope so. The three bowlers who are playing [have] done well in a couple of games. Baltej [Singh], who played the last game, bowled decently. He looks like a good bowler and we will be playing Navdeep Singh as well who is another good bowler. He’s looking good in the nets so hopefully we should do well.

On Mumbai playing without pressure considering they’ve qualified for the knockouts already

[That’s] better for us. [It’s] always better to be the underdogs; [it’s better when] people are not expecting you to win or do well […] If we play to our potential, we should do well.