Cricket

Shreyas Iyer's impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha has reignited hopes of a strong comeback for the talented batter. Despite recent setbacks, including his omission from the BCCI's central contracts list and a disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign for Mumbai, Iyer showcased his resilience and determination on Tuesday.With Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma in attendance, Iyer played a crucial role in Mumbai's innings, scoring a gritty 95 off 111 balls. His celebration, which went viral on social media, reflected his relief and satisfaction at finding form at a critical juncture.Iyer's performance has prompted Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid to address the issue of his and Ishan Kishan's absence from the central contracts. Dravid emphasized that both players remain in contention for selection, stating, "They are always in the mix. Everyone who is playing cricket and domestic cricket is in the mix."Dravid clarified that the decision-making process for central contracts lies with the BCCI and selectors, not the coaching staff. He added, "I don't even know what the criteria is. People ask my opinion on the 15, me and Rohit pick the XI. We never discuss whether a player has a contract or not, whether he is going to be picked."Dravid's comments suggest that Iyer and Kishan's omission from the central contracts does not necessarily reflect their current form or potential. He urged them to regain fitness, perform consistently, and force the selectors to reconsider their decisions.Iyer's performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a testament to his ability to bounce back from adversity. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaching, he will have another opportunity to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the national selectors.

Mumbai's Musheer Khan has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history by surpassing a record previously held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar during the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.The 19-year-old, younger brother of India cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, showcased exceptional skill and composure as he scored a century in Mumbai's second innings of the title clash. In achieving this milestone, Musheer became the youngest batsman from his team to achieve such a feat in a Ranji final, eclipsing Tendulkar's previous record set at the age of 21.Tendulkar's iconic 140 against Punjab in the 1994-95 Ranji Trophy final had remained a benchmark for nearly three decades until Musheer's historic knock. Notably, both instances occurred at the hallowed grounds of the Wankhede Stadium, adding to the significance of Musheer's achievement.Facing the formidable Vidarbha attack, Musheer exhibited maturity beyond his years, patiently accumulating runs before reaching the coveted three-figure mark after negotiating 255 deliveries. The presence of Tendulkar himself at the venue to witness the proceedings of Day 3 added a surreal dimension to Musheer's accomplishment.Prior to his heroics in the Ranji final, Musheer had already made waves on the cricketing scene by representing India at the ICC U-19 World Cup earlier in the year. His stellar performance, amassing 360 runs in the tournament, underscored his potential as one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket.Moreover, Musheer had demonstrated his prowess with the bat during the Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Baroda, where he notched up his maiden First-Class century, later converting it into a double-ton with a remarkable 203 off 357 balls.With his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan also making headlines with his exploits in the Test arena, the Khan brothers have become a talking point in Indian cricket circles. Musheer's meteoric rise, coupled with Sarfaraz's success, exemplifies Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy.As Mumbai set their sights on clinching a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, Musheer Khan's monumental achievement serves as a testament to the city's cricketing prowess and the promising future of Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma's Inspiring Gesture: Supporting Domestic Cricket at Ranji Trophy FinalIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to domestic cricket by visiting the Wankhede Stadium to support the Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Despite being unavailable to play due to India's upcoming Test match against England, Rohit made a special appearance in the dressing room to offer encouragement and support to his teammates.Rohit's presence at the Ranji Trophy final underscores his belief in the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricket. He has repeatedly emphasized that players should prioritize playing for their state teams when fit, as it provides invaluable experience and helps develop their skills."It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket," Rohit said recently. "When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch."Rohit's gesture has been widely praised by fans and commentators alike. His support for domestic cricket sends a strong message to young players about the value of representing their states and contributing to the development of the sport.The Mumbai team, led by Prithvi Shaw, will be looking to secure their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in the final against Vidarbha. Rohit's presence in the dressing room will undoubtedly provide an extra boost of motivation to the players as they strive to achieve their goal.Rohit's commitment to domestic cricket extends beyond his words. He has consistently made time to follow the progress of the Ranji Trophy, including watching the semi-finals involving Mumbai. His dedication to supporting the domestic game is a testament to his passion for Indian cricket and his desire to see it thrive at all levels.

Mumbai's dominance over Vidarbha continued on the second day of their Ranji Trophy encounter, as they extended their lead to a commanding 260 runs. Resuming on 31 for 3, Vidarbha's hopes of a competitive total were dashed by a disciplined Mumbai bowling attack.Dhawal Kulkarni, in his final Ranji Trophy appearance, led the charge with three wickets, including the crucial scalp of in-form Atharva Taide. Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian shared six wickets between them, as Vidarbha were bundled out for a paltry 105 in just 45.3 overs.In response, Mumbai's openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani fell cheaply, leaving Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan at the crease. The duo initially struggled against the Vidarbha bowlers, but gradually found their rhythm.Rahane, in particular, showed signs of improvement after a difficult season. He played a series of elegant shots, including a trademark flick through midwicket and a superb square drive, to reach his second half-century of the campaign.Musheer Khan provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 51. Together, they put on an unbroken 107-run partnership to guide Mumbai to 141 for 2 at stumps.With three full days remaining, Mumbai are in a commanding position. Rahane's return to form and the team's overall dominance will give them confidence as they look to secure a victory and keep their Ranji Trophy hopes alive.

Prithvi Shaw's susceptibility to incoming deliveries has once again been exposed, leading to his dismissal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. The Mumbai opener has been clean bowled numerous times by deliveries that come back in, a weakness that has plagued him throughout his career.In the Day-night Test against Australia at Adelaide in December 2020, Shaw was dismissed by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the first and second innings respectively with deliveries that came back in. And in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Shaw was dismissed in a similar manner in the seventh over of Mumbai's second innings.The bowler this time was Yash Thakur, who bowled an in-seam delivery at 133.4kph pitched at good length. Shaw (11) looked to defend from the crease without accounting for the movement off the deck, but the ball sneaked through the bat-pad gap to crash into the stumps.Shaw couldn't believe it and walked off shaking his head. The domestic handle of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video of the dismissal on Twitter.Shaw's weakness against incoming deliveries is a major concern for the Indian team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The left-hander is expected to play a key role in India's batting lineup, but his susceptibility to incoming deliveries could be a major liability.The Indian team management will need to find a way to address Shaw's weakness before the start of the series. One possible solution could be to have him practice more against incoming deliveries in the nets. Another option could be to have him bat at a lower position in the order, where he would be less likely to face incoming deliveries.Whatever the solution, the Indian team management will need to find a way to address Shaw's weakness before the start of the series. Otherwise, it could be a major liability for the team.

Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur has expressed confidence in Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer's ability to regain their form, despite their recent struggles. Rahane and Iyer both failed to score in Mumbai's first innings against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final, but Thakur believes they will bounce back."Ajinkya is not scoring runs throughout the season. He is not in the greatest of the forms. We cannot blame him as it is just a phase for him where he is not getting runs," Thakur said. "It's just a rough patch for them. That's what I would say (about) Shreyas (and) Ajinkya. These guys have been absolute match-winners for Mumbai and India."Thakur urged everyone to support the seasoned pros in their down phase. "Right now, it's not their time; it's time to support them rather than criticising them because it's easy to criticise," Thakur said.Rahane has so far made just 141 runs from eight matches at an average of 12.81 with a solitary fifty. Shreyas, on the other hand, has not been regular for Mumbai this season owing to his national commitments but his return to the domestic circuit has been far from impressive -- 58 runs from three games at an average of 19.33 with a highest of 48.However, Thakur said both Rahane and Shreyas have shown the right attitude on the field, something he believed should work as a pointer to the younger Mumbai players. "Ajinkya has not scored runs but his attitude on the fielding is top notch. A lot of youngsters coming from U-23 and U-19 cricket in Mumbai don't have the attitude that he has. You see him in the slips, even if he is fielded for 80 overs, he will sprint (to) save (those) four runs," Thakur said."Shreyas moves around the field like a tiger. He absolutely gives everything that he has on the field. Both of them are role models when they are in the dressing room," Thakur added.Thakur was disappointed that some of the upcoming batters failed to rise to the occasion as significant as a Ranji Trophy final. "The other batters...we collectively felt that they should have shown a better approach. Starting from Bhupen Lalwani because he survived the first two or three balls in that over (in which he was dismissed) and still chasing that wide one on the fourth delivery, is not on," he said.Thakur minced no words when he said that players will have to put the team first. "They have to learn quickly because (the) Mumbai dressing room is not about (your) own self. When you play here, you play for the team. You have to keep your individual scores, your own game aside."When you score 20-25 or 30 runs, the next runs are for the team. They have to learn about it."The 32-year-old said the Mumbai batting unit will have to regroup in the second innings. "We just need to regroup as a batting unit. There are going to be tough days as a batting unit. Probably, we will just have a meeting and decide collectively how are you going to put a big score on the board from the first three or four wickets," he noted.Thakur rescued Mumbai from a wobbly 111 for six with a counter-punching 75 off 69 balls, an innings that bore similarity to his hundred against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semifinals a few days back. "I love to play in tough situations and tough conditions. The kind of life that I have lived travelling far from Palghar to Mumbai with the kit bag on the train, you know it was not easy. That has toughened me up," he said.Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who will retire after the final, replaced injured Mohit Avasthi in the 11 for the title clash, and Thakur said it was emotional to see his old mate turning up for Mumbai one last time. "Today morning it was confirmed that he is playing. It was going to be his last game. It was an extremely emotional moment for him."It's an emotional moment for me also because I have watched him since childhood. When I did not have money to buy shoes, he gave me a few pairs of shoes," Thakur recalled.Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey, whose three-wicket haul included Rahane, said he had dreamt of dismissing the experienced batter. "I enjoyed dismissing Rahane. I had thought before the game that I would dismiss him. I was determined to do it and it was one of my best dismissals in Ranji Trophy," Dubey said."I tried to get him to drive since the ball was coming off slower at that length and I was successful in what I had planned," he added.

Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who had announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the end of the season, was unexpectedly called upon to play his 96th and final match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha.Kulkarni, who had played only three matches and taken seven wickets this season, had been primarily serving as a mentor to the team's other seamers. However, with Mohit Avasthi ruled out due to injury, Kulkarni was given a chance to lead Mumbai's bowling attack.On the first day of the final, Kulkarni made an immediate impact, dismissing Aman Mokhade and Karun Nair in an incisive spell. He continued his impressive performance on Day 2, taking the wicket of Atharva Taide to give Mumbai their first breakthrough.Kulkarni's performance was a testament to his experience and skill, and he was given a guard of honor by his Mumbai teammates on the first day of the final. The Indian cricket board's domestic handle shared a video of the moment on Twitter.Kulkarni's final first-class match was a fitting end to a successful career. He has been a key member of the Mumbai team for many years, and his contributions have helped them win numerous titles. He will be remembered as one of the most successful bowlers in Indian domestic cricket.

Yash Thakur, a promising young fast bowler, has emerged as a key figure in Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy campaign. For five years, he has honed his skills under the tutelage of India's premier pacer, Umesh Yadav.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai, Yash played a pivotal role in bowling out the defending champions for 224. Opening the bowling, he broke the 81-run opening stand with a sharp delivery that kissed the edge of Bhupen Lalwani's bat. After lunch, he returned to dismiss Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, breaking the back of Mumbai's lower order.Yash's success is a testament to the mentorship he has received from Umesh. The experienced pacer has been a constant presence in the Vidarbha team, providing guidance and encouragement to the younger bowlers. Yash recalls a particular incident during the 2018-19 Ranji semifinal against Kerala, where Umesh's words of encouragement helped him overcome a wicketless spell."He walked up to me, reminded me the game is not over and told me to back myself," Yash said. "It helped and I picked four in the next match. Since then, every time I bowl when he is around, he is always at mid-off, egging me and the others on."Yash's journey to becoming a fast bowler began at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Academy, where he was initially a wicketkeeper. However, former Vidarbha captain and coach Praveen Hinganikar saw his potential as a bowler and encouraged him to focus on that aspect of the game."Sir (Hinganikar) told me there are more ways beyond wicketkeeping to emulate Dhoni," Yash said. "He told me to learn from Dhoni in other aspects of the game and implement it while bowling. That was a turning point."Yash's performance in the Ranji Trophy final has not only showcased his talent but also highlighted the importance of mentorship in sports. Umesh Yadav's guidance and support have played a crucial role in shaping Yash's career, and it is a testament to the positive impact that experienced athletes can have on the development of young players.

Harsh Dubey, the young left-arm spinner for Vidarbha, played a pivotal role in his team's Ranji Trophy triumph. A day before the final, Dubey was tasked with dismissing a key Mumbai batter, and he executed his plan to perfection.Of the three wickets Dubey claimed, he cherished Ajinkya Rahane's dismissal the most. "I had made up my mind to dismiss him before the match," Dubey revealed. "I always do it. Before every match, I pick a player whom I want to dismiss."Dubey's dismissal of Rahane was a testament to his meticulous planning. "I was giving him balls to drive, thinking that there were chances of the ball going in the air if Rahane drives it as the ball was getting stuck on the wicket," Dubey explained. "The plan succeeded."Rahane's attempt to break free resulted in an uppish drive that was caught by Dhruv Shorey at mid-off. Dubey's success against Rahane was a significant moment in the match, as it helped Vidarbha gain an early advantage.Dubey's performance in the final was a culmination of his hard work and experience. The 21-year-old has been juggling between Vidarbha's Under-23 and Ranji sides throughout the season. However, the experience of winning championships in the inter-state age-group tournaments helped him enter the final without any pressure."There was no pressure of the final. We have won the U-16, U-19, and U-23 finals in the past, so there was no such pressure of the final," Dubey said. "I was treating it as a normal game and not thinking of it as a big game. I am taking it as just another Ranji contest against Mumbai."Dubey's composure and determination were evident throughout the match. He bowled with accuracy and control, troubling the Mumbai batsmen with his variations. His performance was a testament to his talent and the guidance he has received from his coaches.