Baroda, Nov. 2: Missing their star players, who are either on national duty or nursing injuries, Delhi and Baroda will lock horns in the opening four-day match of the Ranji Trophy here on Tuesday.

Delhi are missing explosive openers Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and in-form pacer Ashish Nehra, who are playing against Australia in the ongoing one-day series. Baroda are without regular skipper and pace spearhead Irfan Pathan, who is nursing a knee injury and another formidable fast bowler in Munaf Patel, currently with the national team.

Baroda’s new captain Connor Williams hoped that the absence of the duo won’t affect his side’s fortunes.

"The team will be able to put up a good score if the middle order batsmen do their job," he said.

Baroda failed to make even the semis last year but Williams said the team is confident of an improved performance this season. With big-hitting all-rounder Yusuf Pathan in the team, Williams said Baroda will do look to make the most of their home advantage.

Delhi manager M. Kapur said that despite missing their star players, the team is strong enough to give the hosts a run for their money.

With a formidable batting line-up that includes the experienced Akash Chopra, Shikhar Dhawan, Rajat Bhatia, Mithun Manhas in their ranks, Kapur said that Delhi have the required strength to make a mark. "All of them have done well in the Ranji Trophy in the past and I expect them to do well this time also," he said.

"Among bowlers, Chetanya Nanda is a good spinner who knows how to exploit the conditions," he added.

Elsewhere, Gujarat will begin their Ranji campaign on Tuesday when they face visitors Orissa in their Group A encounter at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The hosts will be led by discarded Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, while Orrisa will be led by former opener Shiv Sundar Das. — PTI