Cricket

Mumbai's Shardul Thakur Rescues Team in Ranji Trophy Final OpenerMumbai's Shardul Thakur once again proved his batting prowess, rescuing his team from a precarious position on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium.After Vidarbha's bowlers, Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey, had reduced Mumbai to 104 for 5, Shardul stepped up with a blistering 37-ball half-century. His innings, which included 10 fours and 2 sixes, helped Mumbai reach a respectable total of 224.Shardul's knock was crucial as Mumbai's middle order had collapsed either side of lunch. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer both fell cheaply for 7 each. However, Shardul's partnership with Sarfaraz Khan (37) and Shams Mulani (25) steadied the innings.When Shardul was eventually dismissed for 75 off 69 balls, Mumbai were still in a precarious position. However, Umesh Yadav's quickfire 20 helped them add valuable runs to their total.In reply, Vidarbha lost three early wickets to Shardul and Dhawal Kulkarni, who was playing his farewell game. Atharva Taide (21*) and nightwatchman Aditya Thakare (0*) will resume batting on day two with Vidarbha trailing by 193 runs.

Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has called for a comprehensive review of domestic cricket in India, particularly the Ranji Trophy. Dravid's comments come in response to concerns raised by players, including Shardul Thakur, about the demanding schedule and its impact on player recovery.The Ranji Trophy, India's premier first-class cricket tournament, has been criticized for its relentless schedule, with only three-day breaks between matches. This has led to concerns about player injuries and burnout. Dravid acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the need to listen to the players' perspectives."We need to hear the players. They are the ones going through the grind and putting their bodies on the line," Dravid said. "If there are enough voices saying that, then yeah, I think there's some need to look at it, and see how we can manage our schedules."Dravid also highlighted the issue of top players being unavailable for their domestic teams due to clashes with India A tours. This has deprived state teams of their best players, further exacerbating the challenges of the demanding schedule."Your best players, the guys who are pushing for selection for India, are the ones that end up playing the most cricket," Dravid said. "They are the ones who end up playing a lot of cricket, and you also want them to be playing for India and India A tours. So it can get quite tough on a lot of those boys."Dravid suggested that a comprehensive review involving coaches and players is necessary to address these issues. He questioned the necessity of certain tournaments and emphasized the need to prioritize player well-being."Maybe we need to relook and see whether some of the tournaments that we are conducting are necessary in this day and age or they are not necessary," Dravid said. "There needs to be an all-round review [involving] coaches and players, especially the guys who are part of the domestic circuit."

Mumbai, the undisputed kings of Indian domestic cricket, will face a formidable challenge from the gritty Vidarbha team in the much-anticipated Ranji Trophy final starting tomorrow. Led by the astute Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai will aim to extend their dominance with a record-breaking 42nd title, while Vidarbha, the two-time champions, will be determined to upset the legacy holders.Despite a disappointing individual performance with the bat, Rahane's leadership skills have been instrumental in guiding Mumbai to their 48th summit clash. The team has overcome the absence of key players like Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shreyas Iyer, showcasing their resilience and depth.Mumbai's batting has not been as prolific as their opponents, but their lower-middle order has stepped up in crucial situations. Wicketkeeper-batter Hardik Tamore, Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, and Tushar Deshpande have all made significant contributions. The likes of Shivam Dube and Shardul Thakur have also delivered important knocks in the knockout stages.Vidarbha, on the other hand, have displayed consistent performances across all departments. Karun Nair has led the batting charge, while Dhruv Shorey, Akshay Wadkar, Atharva Taide, and Yash Rathod have all contributed heavily. Aditya Sarwate and Aditya Thakare have been the mainstays of the bowling attack, with India pacer Umesh Yadav providing crucial breakthroughs.Vidarbha's clinical approach in big games has been evident in their victories over Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Despite conceding a significant lead in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh, they fought back to secure a memorable win.The final promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. Mumbai's experience and home advantage will be tested against Vidarbha's determination and consistent performances. The battle for the Ranji Trophy crown is set to be a captivating spectacle.

Tushar Deshpande, the Mumbai pacer, has set his sights on earning an India call-up after a string of impressive performances across formats. The 27-year-old has been a key strike bowler for Mumbai since making his Ranji Trophy debut in 2016-17, and his recent performances have caught the attention of national selectors.Deshpande's breakthrough season came in 2023, when he finished as the Chennai Super Kings' highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His ability to consistently clock speeds of 140-plus and take crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for both Mumbai and the Super Kings.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Deshpande has once again been in top form. He has taken three wickets in the first innings and scored a crucial 26 in the second innings, helping Mumbai to a strong position."I think I am ready for an India call-up," Deshpande said ahead of the Ranji final. "If you look at the overall season, be it one-dayers (Vijay Hazare Trophy) or Ranji, I have been delivering with crucial wickets – and useful runs too."Deshpande's performances have not gone unnoticed by Mumbai's head coach Amol Muzumdar. "Tushar has been a consistent performer for us," Muzumdar said. "He has the pace, the accuracy, and the ability to take wickets. I believe he has the potential to play for India."Deshpande is now hoping that a strong performance in the Ranji final and the upcoming IPL will help him realize his dream of playing for India. "These three months, especially starting with the Ranji quarterfinal, are extremely important for me," Deshpande said. "I want to play these next three phases at full intensity."

Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium holds a special significance for Akshay Wakhare, the team's veteran off-spinner. Wakhare is one of only two players in the current Vidarbha squad to have played in the team's solitary Ranji Trophy game at the iconic venue, and he is the only cricketer to have featured in both of Vidarbha's previous Ranji encounters against Mumbai.Despite the ghosts of the 2013-14 clash, where Vidarbha was outplayed by a dominant Mumbai side, Wakhare exudes confidence that his team will approach the final as just another game. He believes that the majority of the Vidarbha players are accustomed to the pressure of big occasions and will not be overawed by the atmosphere or the location.Wakhare acknowledges the challenge of facing Mumbai, a team with a rich history and an impressive record in the Ranji Trophy. However, he emphasizes that Vidarbha has made significant strides in recent years and is no longer an underdog. The team's exposure to various levels of cricket, including the IPL and age-group tournaments, has instilled a sense of self-confidence in the younger players.While Wakhare does not forget the drubbing Vidarbha received at the hands of Zaheer Khan-led Mumbai at the Wankhede in 2013-14, he believes that the team has learned from its mistakes and is better prepared for the challenge this time around. He is confident that Vidarbha will not be overawed by the occasion and will give a strong account of itself in the Ranji Trophy final.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently made a return to the cricket field in a match of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). The ISPL is a T10 tournament featuring celebrities like Kareen Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan as team owners.In the fun match, Tendulkar, along with other notable players like Robin Uthappa and Akshay Kumar, faced off against Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui. Faruqui, known for his comedic skills, surprisingly dismissed Tendulkar for 30 runs. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the stadium, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.Despite the setback, Tendulkar remains a strong advocate for the importance of domestic cricket. He believes that playing in the Ranji Trophy provides national players with an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and elevate the level of domestic competition."When India players turn up for their domestic teams, it raises the quality of play for youngsters and sometimes new talent is identified," Tendulkar said. "It also gives the national players a chance to sometimes rediscover the basics."Tendulkar's comments come in the wake of the BCCI's recent decision to make it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic red-ball cricket when not on national duty or at the NCA. This move aims to strengthen the domestic circuit and provide more opportunities for young players to learn from experienced professionals.Tendulkar's own experience playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy has shaped his belief in the importance of domestic cricket. "Growing up, we had almost 7-8 India players in our dressing room, and it was fun to play alongside them," he said.The participation of star Indian players in domestic tournaments is expected to generate more interest and support for these competitions. Tendulkar believes that over time, fans will become more invested in their domestic teams, leading to a stronger and more vibrant domestic cricket ecosystem.

India's Rohit Sharma Stresses Importance of Domestic Cricket for All PlayersIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the paramount importance of players making themselves available for domestic cricket when not engaged in national duties. This directive aims to discourage players from prioritizing one format over another and ensure the strength of domestic cricket, which is the foundation of Indian cricket.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a firm stance on this issue, excluding ODI World Cup participants Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the pool of centrally contracted cricketers for failing to comply with the board's instructions regarding the Ranji Trophy.Rohit Sharma reiterated that this directive applies to all players, not just a select few. "It is important that we go and play that," he said. "It is not for just a few cricketers, it is for everyone to make sure that whenever you're available, and fine, you should be able to play domestic cricket."The Indian skipper highlighted the quality and excitement of domestic cricket, as witnessed in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy semi-finals. "When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch," he said. "It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket."Rohit's comments come as India prepares for the final Test against England in Dharamsala. Despite his busy schedule, he made time to follow the Ranji Trophy semi-finals, including the match between his own domestic side Mumbai and Tamil Nadu.The BCCI's directive and Rohit Sharma's emphasis on domestic cricket underscore the importance of a strong domestic structure for the development and success of Indian cricket. By ensuring that players are available for domestic matches, the board aims to maintain the quality and competitiveness of the domestic circuit, which is essential for nurturing future talent and strengthening the national team.

Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy semifinal defeat against Mumbai has sparked a controversy after coach Sulakshan Kulkarni publicly criticized captain R Sai Kishore's decision to bat first. Kulkarni's comments have drawn the ire of former state stars, who believe the issue should have been handled internally.Kulkarni claimed that the entire dressing room was shocked by Kishore's last-minute change of plan. He had previously instructed Kishore to bowl first if they won the toss, but the captain opted to bat instead."If his inner voice or instinct told him that we have to bat first, there was no point in having me," Kulkarni said. "I am an experienced coach and a Ranji Trophy-winning coach. We were playing against Mumbai in Mumbai, a place I know everything about, but he did not listen."Kishore has not responded to Kulkarni's allegations. However, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has expressed its displeasure with the coach's outburst."What he (Kulkarni) did was wrong," said a TNCA official. "We got five outright wins with Sai Kishore's good decision-making. You cannot blame someone for just one decision. That is not how a coach should work. In my view, Kulkarni has committed a mistake."Former India captain K Srikkanth condemned Kulkarni's actions on his YouTube channel. "This is absolutely not fair," he said. "Dear TNCA, please do not recruit such coaches from outside (the state)."Hemang Badani, another former Tamil Nadu player, wrote on social media: "Good coaches do not do that."Dinesh Karthik, who captained Tamil Nadu in the past, expressed his disappointment on Twitter. "This is so wrong. This is so disappointing from the coach," he said.The controversy has cast a shadow over Tamil Nadu's impressive Ranji Trophy campaign. The team had won five matches in a row before suffering the innings defeat against Mumbai.

Tamil Nadu's 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign ended in disappointment with a crushing innings and 70-run defeat to Mumbai in the semifinals. Despite the setback, the team can take solace in a successful season that saw them break a five-year drought of not qualifying for the knockouts.Under the leadership of R. Sai Kishore, Tamil Nadu played an aggressive brand of cricket, securing five outright wins from nine games, including three by an innings. They maximized their strength in home conditions, with senior batters piling on the runs and spinners dominating the opposition.N. Jagadeesan enjoyed his best Ranji season, amassing 816 runs, including a triple and double-hundred. B. Indrajith (767 runs) continued to be a reliable performer, delivering vital knocks under pressure. Vijay Shankar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul also made significant contributions with centuries.On the bowling front, Sai Kishore emerged as a standout performer, becoming only the third TN bowler to scalp more than 50 wickets in a season. He was ably supported by Ajith Ram (41 wickets) and Sandeep Warrier (24 wickets).However, Tamil Nadu's technical frailties were exposed when they played on pitches that favored seamers. They suffered outright defeats in the only two games they played on such surfaces, against Gujarat and Mumbai.Sai Kishore's decision to bat first on a green top in the semifinal against Mumbai backfired, leading to a heavy defeat. Post-match comments by coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, who blamed the captain for losing the match at the toss, revealed a schism within the team.Despite the loss, Tamil Nadu has a solid foundation to build upon. They have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country, but they need to address their batting issues, particularly on seaming pitches.