Cricket

Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, will face Services in Palam on Wednesday, aiming for their third outright victory of the 2024-25 season. With only eight points separating the top five teams in Group A, Mumbai, currently third behind Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir, recognizes the importance of a win before the campaign pauses for white-ball tournaments.Services, currently fourth in the standings, also has aspirations of challenging for a knockout spot. After defeats to Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir in the second and third rounds, they bounced back with a 35-run victory over Maharashtra last week. "We had lost the previous two games. So to beat Maharashtra was very important. We won a close contest and on their turf. For any team, that is bound to give confidence," said Services coach Rajesh Tiwari.Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane, displayed its dominance in the previous round, crushing Odisha by an innings and 103 runs. The victory was built on a 354-run stand between Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad, the highest fourth-wicket partnership for the 42-time winner. Iyer plundered a 228-ball 233 while Lad contributed 169 off 337 balls.Iyer's continued good form, as evidenced by his century against Maharashtra, suggests he is eager to reclaim his place in India's Test plans. Services captain Rajat Paliwal acknowledges the challenge ahead against Mumbai's formidable batting lineup. "The wickets in matches here have been taken by medium-pacers as well as spinners. Batters have also scored runs. There will be help for everyone from this surface," Paliwal said.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised to make a long-awaited return to competitive cricket after nearly a year of absence. The Bengal pacer has been named in his state team's squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to commence on November 13 in Indore.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal squad marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a series of injuries that have kept him sidelined since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad last year. His fitness has been under close scrutiny in the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Prior to the Test squad announcement, Shami expressed his desire to play one or two Ranji Trophy games for Bengal before joining the Indian team in Australia. However, with the Ranji Trophy season split into two and only one round remaining before the white-ball tournaments, he will have the opportunity to prove his fitness in just one red-ball game.Shami's injury woes began with an ankle injury that required surgery on his right foot in March. He subsequently spent several months at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, rehabilitating from both the ankle injury and an Achilles tendon injury that he played through during the ODI World Cup.If Shami demonstrates his fitness in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match, he could potentially be added to India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The current squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana as the frontline fast bowlers, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed in the reserves.Shami's return to action is a welcome boost for India, who have been without their premier fast bowler for an extended period. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be invaluable in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket after an extended absence of nearly a year. The Bengal stalwart will don the blue and gold jersey in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Madhya Pradesh, commencing on Wednesday. This development marks a significant milestone in Shami's rehabilitation journey, as he received the green light from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to resume playing.Shami's return has been eagerly anticipated, with expectations of his participation in the Ranji Trophy. However, a delayed fitness certificate from the NCA due to reported injury concerns hindered his earlier involvement. Now, with the NCA's clearance, Shami is set to spearhead Bengal's pace attack against Madhya Pradesh.This comeback holds immense significance for both Bengal and India. Bengal will be bolstered by Shami's presence, especially with pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar currently representing India in Australia, and Ishan Porel recovering from an injury. Shami's experience and skill will provide a much-needed boost to Bengal's bowling unit.For India, Shami's return to fitness ahead of the crucial Australian tour is a major development. His form and fitness will be closely monitored as he prepares for the upcoming challenges. Shami's last competitive appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final on November 19th, after which he embarked on an injury rehabilitation program.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal team is not only a boost to their performance but also a morale booster for the entire squad. Bengal currently sits in fifth place in the points table with 8 points from 4 games, having secured three crucial points in their last match against Karnataka. The team aims to qualify for the next round of the Ranji Trophy, and Shami's presence will undoubtedly enhance their chances.

Chennai Super Kings Eye 17-Year-Old Mumbai Opener Ayush Mhatre for IPL 2025 Mega AuctionFive-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are reportedly targeting a promising young batter for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise has invited Mumbai's 17-year-old opener Ayush Mhatre for a selection trial before the auction.Mhatre has caught the attention of CSK's talent scouts and none other than legendary India and CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The youngster has impressed with his performances for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.In his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup game against Rest of India, Mhatre opened the batting alongside Prithvi Shaw and scored 19 and 14 runs in the two innings respectively. In the Ranji Trophy, he has made 321 runs in five games at an average of 35.66, including one century and one half-century.Mhatre's impressive century came against Maharashtra, where he scored a brilliant 176. His consistent performances have not gone unnoticed by CSK, who are keen on adding him to their squad for the next IPL season.CSK Managing Director and CEO Kasi Viswanathan has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to allow Mhatre to attend a trial at their CSKHPC Navalur grounds. The trial will take place after the end of the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy 2024 season (on November 16) and before the start of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.CSK will enter the mega auction with a purse of Rs 55 crore, having retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and Dhoni. If they choose to buy Mhatre, the youngster could emerge as an option at the top of the order, alongside captain Gaikwad.Mhatre's inclusion in the CSK squad would add depth to their batting lineup and provide them with a long-term option for the opening slot. The youngster's talent and potential have impressed Dhoni and the CSK management, and he could be a valuable addition to the franchise in the upcoming IPL season.

India has consistently produced exceptional young talent in every U-19 World Cup, but Rajangad Bawa's all-round abilities have set him apart. Despite injuries hindering his progress, Bawa has shown immense promise as a seam-bowling all-rounder.After his stellar performance in the 2022 U-19 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the final, Bawa made his Ranji Trophy debut for Chandigarh. However, injuries plagued him, limiting his playing time.Undeterred, Bawa underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he received expert guidance and underwent corrections to his bowling action. The NCA's support has been instrumental in his recovery and return to form.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Bawa has showcased his all-round skills, scoring 209 runs at an average of 52.25 and taking eight wickets. His performances have earned him a place in the elite list of players invited for high-performance camps at the NCA.Bawa's father and coach, Sukhwinder, has played a crucial role in his development, providing support and guidance. Bawa acknowledges the importance of staying relaxed and not putting undue pressure on himself.While comparisons to Hardik Pandya are inevitable, Bawa remains focused on his own journey. He recognizes the rise of other all-rounders, such as Nitish Kumar Reddy, as a challenge that motivates him to improve.Despite the setbacks he has faced, Bawa remains optimistic about his future. He is determined to prove his worth and earn a place in the Indian team. The NCA's continued support and his own unwavering determination make him a promising prospect for Indian cricket.

Delhi's Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, prompting a leadership change. Himmat Singh, who captained the team in the first four rounds, has been replaced by Ayush Badoni. The decision comes after a crushing defeat to Chandigarh, which exposed Delhi's batting frailties.Badoni, who scored 49 and 1 in the two innings against Chandigarh, will lead the team in their next match against Jharkhand. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form this season, scoring two centuries and a fifty in four matches.Yash Dhull, who was the Delhi skipper during the 2022-23 Ranji season, has been named as the vice-captain. Dhull, who is also a talented batsman, has scored two centuries and a fifty this season.The changes in the Delhi squad reflect the team's struggles in the Ranji Trophy. Delhi is currently fourth in Group D, with just one win from four matches. The team's batting has been particularly disappointing, with only Dhull and Badoni showing any consistency.The selectors have made several changes to the squad in an attempt to address the team's weaknesses. Hrithik Shokeen, Shivank Vashisth, and Kshitiz Sharma have been dropped, while Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Gusain, and Shivam Sharma have been included.Simarjeet, a pacer, returns to the squad after missing the last three matches with injury. Gusain is a batting all-rounder who has been doing well in the U-23 set-up. Shivam is a left-arm spinner who has been in good form for Delhi's second XI.Delhi will be hoping that the changes in the squad will help them turn their season around. The team has a tough task ahead of them, but they will be confident of making a strong comeback under the leadership of Badoni.

Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, with the team drawing and losing two games each in their first four outings. Despite the disappointing start, captain Jaydev Unadkat remains optimistic, attributing the setbacks to a necessary period of transition.Unadkat, who has led Saurashtra to three Ranji Trophy finals and two titles in the past five seasons, acknowledges the need for a changing of the guard. Senior players like Sheldon Jackson, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Arpit Vasavada are nearing the end of their careers, and Unadkat is keen on grooming young talent.This season, Saurashtra has already handed debuts to three players: pace bowlers Navneet Vora and Hiten Kanbi, and batter Parswaraj Rana. While Vora and Kanbi have shown promise, Rana has struggled to make an impact.Unadkat believes that providing opportunities to youngsters is crucial for the team's long-term success. "We want young players to come forward, and we want them to be given maximum opportunities," he said. "I want young players to settle in our team during my captaincy."Despite the team's struggles, Unadkat remains focused on guiding Saurashtra to victory in every match. "When I wake up in the morning, the first thought that comes to my mind is how our team will win, and how it will become better," he said.Unadkat is also preparing for the upcoming IPL auction, where he is among the 1574 players who have registered. While he hopes to return to Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is open to joining any team that values his bowling skills."I am definitely very excited about the auction," he said. "Mega auction is a big opportunity, but whatever the results of the auction, I am fully prepared to accept it... If I get my bowling role and I get to play, I will be satisfied."

Bengal and Karnataka played out a tame draw in their Elite-C Ranji Trophy encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Bengal, resuming on 127 for three, opted for a cautious approach, batting beyond lunch to set Karnataka an improbable target of 364.Sudip Kumar, who had scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 101, while Wriddhiman Saha contributed a solid 63 not out. Bengal declared their second innings on 283 for five, leaving Karnataka with less than two sessions to bat.Karnataka's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost openers Mayank Agarwal and Kishan Bedare cheaply. However, R. Smaran (35 not out), Shreyas Gopal (32), and Manish Pandey (30 not out) steadied the ship, guiding the home team to safety.Bengal's bowlers, led by Ishan Porel and Akash Deep, kept the pressure on Karnataka's batsmen, but the visitors were unable to force a breakthrough. The match ended in a draw, with Karnataka earning three points and Bengal taking home one point.Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary expressed satisfaction with the result, saying, "We wanted to bat for as long as possible and put pressure on Karnataka. We knew they had some quality bowlers, but we were confident in our batting lineup."Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal admitted that his team had been affected by "a few soft dismissals" and that the batters were keen to take corrective action. He also highlighted the absence of regulars like K.L. Rahul, V. Vyshak, and Devdutt Padikkal, who are away on international duty."We want our players to play a higher grade of cricket. We want to keep fighting and find ways to win games for Karnataka. If we get a win in the next game, then suddenly things look different," Agarwal said.

Tamil Nadu's N. Jagadeesan continued his impressive form in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-D match against Assam, notching up his second century of the season. The Tamil Nadu vice-captain remained unbeaten on 118 (188b, 9x4, 1x6) as he and Pradosh Ranjan Paul (68 not out, 112b, 5x4) guided the team to a draw.Assam had piled up 445 in reply to Tamil Nadu's first-innings total of 338. The visiting team began the final day 99 runs in arrears and saw Jagadeesan's opening partner, S. Lokeshwar, fall to pacer Mukhtar Hussain for three.Experienced all-rounder Vijay Shankar joined Jagadeesan at the crease, and the duo set about reducing the deficit. They adopted a cautious approach, playing shots only when the bowlers erred in line and length.Jagadeesan, though initially uncomfortable against left-arm pacer Mrinmoy Dutta, showed patience and determination. He added 54 runs for the second wicket with Shankar (23) before Swarupam Purkayastha dismissed the latter.Pradosh, who joined Jagadeesan, proved an ideal partner. They blunted the Assam bowlers, occasionally being beaten by good deliveries but persevering for an unbroken 144-run third-wicket partnership.Jagadeesan showcased his class with some impressive shots, including a towering six off off-spinner Purkayastha. Pradosh also contributed with several boundaries, helping Tamil Nadu erase the deficit and secure a draw.Jagadeesan's century was his 10th in First-Class cricket, and he also surpassed the 3,000-run mark in the Ranji Trophy during the innings.