Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian Test debutant Sarfaraz Khan, has etched his name in the annals of Ranji Trophy history by surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record as the youngest Mumbai batter to score a century in the tournament’s final.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Musheer, aged 19 years and 14 days, crafted a masterful knock of 136 off 326 deliveries, adorned with 10 boundaries. His monumental innings propelled Mumbai to a commanding 500-plus run lead.
Musheer’s achievement is even more remarkable considering that the iconic Tendulkar, who was present at the stands, was just under 22 years old when he scored twin centuries in the 1994-95 season final against Punjab.
The 19-year-old’s exquisite ton came off 255 balls, showcasing his patience and technical prowess. His brother, Sarfaraz, took to Instagram to express his pride and admiration for Musheer’s performance.
Musheer’s journey to this historic moment has been marked by consistent brilliance. In the semifinal against Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial role with a valuable 55 off 131 balls, paving the way for Mumbai’s innings and 70-run victory.
During the quarterfinal against Baroda, Musheer converted his maiden first-class century into a double ton, smashing 203 off 357 balls in the first innings. He followed it up with a quickfire 33 off 25 balls in the second innings, helping Mumbai secure a draw and advance on the basis of their first-innings lead.
In three matches so far, Musheer has amassed 433 runs at an astonishing average of 108.25, including two centuries and a half-century. His best score remains his 203* against Baroda.
Musheer’s talent extends beyond batting. In the U19 World Cup tournament, he played seven matches, scoring 360 runs at an average of 60, with a strike rate of over 98. He scored two centuries and a fifty, ending as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. His best score was an impressive 131.
Additionally, Musheer has played 14 Youth ODIs, scoring 554 runs at an average of 61.55, with two centuries and two fifties. With 13 wickets, he is also a useful spin-bowling all-rounder.
Musheer’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. His elder brother, Sarfaraz, recently made his much-anticipated international debut against England, scoring twin half-centuries in his first Test match.
The Khan brothers are a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket. Musheer’s record-breaking performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a harbinger of his potential to become a future star for both Mumbai and India.
