After showing great character and ability in recovering from a lacklustre start, Mumbai will be keen to maintain the winning momentum when they meet Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Super League final starting on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
If the results of the previous meetings are anything to go by, Mumbai will be the clear favourites to regain the national championship, with the inclusion of several seasoned players making it even stronger.
For the record, Mumbai and Bengal have played five Ranji Trophy finals with the former emerging triumphant on each occasion.
Mumbai will be boosted by the addition of international stars in Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Ramesh Powar and Zaheer Khan.
The left-arm paceman will make his debut for Mumbai in the showpiece match of the Indian domestic calendar.
Determined to make amends for last years disappointment in the final, Bengal have a much more balanced look to their side with the induction of the in-form Sourav Ganguly.
Mumbai, led by middle-order batsman Amol Muzumdar, cannot be complacent against the formidable visitors.
The two sides had met during the league stage also when Bengal came up with the points on the basis of the first innings lead.
However, that result will count little in the five-day final as the situation, the circumstances and players are different, believes Mumbai captain Amol Muzumdar.
"This is a different game, this is a final. It is a different situation, circumstances are different and the players are different. We all are looking forward to it, hopefully it will be a good final," Muzumdar said after the practice session.
Dwelling on the combination for final, Muzumdar said that composition has not yet been decided after the inclusion of senior players in the squad.
"According to me, the best eleven from Mumbai should play. This is not the first time it has happened, it has been a Mumbai tradition. It is absolutely a great honour for me to captain Sachin," added Muzumdar, the mainstay of Mumbai batting this season.
Bengal look slightly weak in the spin department but their seam attack, spearheaded by the impressive Ranadeb Bose, looks quite potent with Sourav Sarkar, Ashok Dinda and Ganguly providing back-up.
The wicket looks a sporting one and which is expected to hold true the full distance.
"It is a sporting wicket and it will last full five days. It will help the pacers early on and provide the spinners turn from day three. Even after the ball gets old, it will have good carry as it is a firm wicket, good for five-day cricket," said curator Sudhir Naik.
The match will be telecast live on Neo Sports.
