Rain threatens to play spoilsport in Corporate Trophy

DHARAMSHALA: Fringe India players arelikely to be denied the opportunity to impress selectors as rain is threateningto wash out the first Group C match between Tata Steel and AIPSSB in theinaugural Corporate Trophy tournament on Tuesday.With no Sri Lankaor Champions Trophy-bound Indian players featuring in both the teams, thetournament opener match between Tata Steel and AIPSSB is a golden opportunityfor the likes of Ramesh Powar, out-of-favour pacer Ajit Agarkar and ICL returneeRohan Gavaskar to prove their mettle. But the continuous downpourhas not only cast a shadow over the opening game but also the entire leg ofGroup C scheduled to be held in the scenic hill town here. In caseTuesday's match is washed out, both the teams will split one point each. Withrain showing no signs of relenting, there is a possibility that all the Group Cmatches could be abandoned and the toppers from the group, who will progress tothe September 6 semifinal in Mohali, would have to be decided by spinningcoins.However, if rain relents, Tata Steel are the favourites forTuesday's match as they have the likes of Gavaskar, Agarkar, Powar, ManojJoglekar, Wilkin Mota and Sahil Kukreja in their ranks. For Agarkar,Team India doors might have been closed with the emergence of Ishant Sharma,Praveen Kumar and RP Singh, but the tournament comes as a great platform for himto prove his worth. Another Tata player who has a point to prove isthe legendary Sunil Gavaskar's son Rohan, who recently returned to the officialfold from the Indian Cricket League. The Tata side also boasts ofall-rounders in Joglekar, Mota, Ishank Jaggi and Sahil Kukreja.Their bowling attack is headed by Agarkar and wily off-spinnerRamesh Powar. AIPSSB, on the hand, start underdogs with no big namesfeaturing in the side apart from former India pacer Debashish Mohanty. The teammostly consists of unknown domestic players who are yet to achieve anythingsubstantial in their career.