New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- When former Ranji champions, Railways, host Tamil Nadu at the Karnail Singh Stadium in here in their Super League Group A Ranji opener, they will be counting on home advantage. That is, because, otherwise they are up against a monumental task of fending off a strong Tamil Nadu side.

The wicket seems to be the usual Karnail Singh one, on the slower side, and that is the only other worry that the Tamil Nadu coach, Woorkeri Raman, has on mind apart from the fact that it is the first match of the season.

"This is the first game of the season, so we can't take it lightly. Also, they (the Railways) know their track very well," he said.

The Railways coach, Abhay Sharma, concedes the fact that the season will be tough with strong teams, like Mumbai and Punjab also on their schedule. "We have prepared well and hope to begin on a high note," he said.

The Murli Kartik-led team has a starting problem. Anureet Singh, their Kolkata Knight Riders paceman, who should have been one of their strike bowlers, will sit out due to injury.

Veteran all-rounder JP Yadav, who featured in the T20 tournament, doesn't find a place in the days' squad. Faiz Fazal comes into their squad this season from Vidarbha.

Murali Vijay will lead the visitors after regular skipper, Dinesh Karthik, was called up for national duty.