Yusuf and Irfan Pathan during a practice session at the Eden on Monday. (Below) Sayan Sekhar Mondal. Telegraph pictures

Calcutta: Bengal will have to play out of their skins when they take on an experienced and balanced Baroda team in the Ranji Trophy Super League match at the Eden from Tuesday.

Bengal’s five points in their opener in Pune had come against a young Maharashtra side, struggling to cope with the demands and pressures of first-class cricket. Moreover, Bengal, this time, will be without four of their key players — Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha and Ashok Dinda will be doing duty for Board President’s XI against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, while Rohan Gavaskar has been ruled out because of a groin injury.

The return of Sourav Ganguly will boost the players’ confidence, but as the former India captain admitted, his presence shouldn’t raise expectations. More than being a battle between Sourav and the Pathan brothers, it will pit Baroda coach Paras Mhambrey against a side whose nucleus was formed during his tenure as Bengal coach three seasons ago.

“Paras knows us inside out… May be we will have to think out of the box,” said Deep Dasgupta, who led Bengal during Mhambrey’s reign.

Mhambrey, though, is not reading much into it. “It’s true that I know them well, but they also know my methods and tactics. I don’t think it will give any of us an advantage. At the end of the day, you will have to perform on the given day.”

Roger Binny, too, feels Paras’ knowledge about Bengal won’t be a major worry. “Every match is recorded these days and it’s not a problem to watch a team or player closely. So even without being associated with a side, you can be aware of their positives,” explained the Bengal coach.

Bengal are aware that the Pathan brothers can tilt the scales with their all-round display. “They are definitely good players. But stars don’t matter and it all boils down to performance,” said captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla.

“We’re aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Pathan brothers…,” said Binny. Baroda, on the other hand, are drawing strength from their presence.

The wicket, with a fair sprinkling of grass, is sure to provide lateral movement in the first session. That has probably led the Bengal think-tank to include rookie Sayan Sekhar Mondal in the playing XI. Sayan, who is from Durgapur, was CAB’s best under-19 cricketer last season.

Sourav will bat at No.5, while Arindam Ghosh will fill up the No. 4 slot. Baroda managed just one point from their opener and will be further handicapped by the absence of left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar, one of the three bowlers hauled up for suspect action. But the grass on the wicket has prompted Baroda to delay naming their side. However, it remains to be seen how much of the grass is retained before the start.

TEAMS

Bengal (likely): Deep Dasgupta, Arindam Das, Avishek Jhunjhunwala, Arindam Ghosh, Sourav Ganguly, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Sourashish Lahiri, Sourav Sarkar, Ranadeb Bose, Sayan Sekhar Mondal.

Baroda (from): Connor Williams, Pinal Shah, Satyajit Parab, Azhar Bilakhia, Jacob Martin, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Rakesh Solanki, Murtuja Vahora, Ajitesh Argal, Swapnil Singh, Shatrunjay Gaekwad, Ketan Panchal, Firdaush Bhaja, Bhargav Bhatt.

Match starts: 9 am.