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Karun Nair's Resurgence: Focused on the Present, Aiming for India Return

Karun Nair’s Resurgence: Focused on the Present, Aiming for India Return

By August 29, 2024 0

Karun Nair, the Indian batter who has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, is currently engaged in a rigorous rebuilding process. However, he remains focused on the present, recognizing that dwelling on the future can hinder his progress.

Despite not playing for India in seven years, Nair has demonstrated glimpses of his former brilliance in recent times. He has amassed runs for Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Northamptonshire in English county cricket. “It’s about preparing for the grind and focusing on the next game. I’m not looking too far ahead because it can lead to overthinking,” Nair explained.

Nair’s resurgence began with his stint at Northamptonshire in early 2023, where he scored 249 runs in three matches, including a century against Surrey. This year, he has accumulated 487 runs in seven matches, including a century against Glamorgan. While these numbers may not be extraordinary, they have instilled confidence in a batsman who had been struggling to find his purpose.

“Playing in England with a different ball has taught me a lot about myself as a batsman. I’ve learned to find ways to score runs and believe in myself,” Nair said.

His move to Vidarbha from Karnataka during the last domestic season proved to be a turning point. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in his home state, Nair found a new lease of life in Vidarbha. He scored 690 runs in 10 matches, including two centuries, helping his team reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals.

“I’m grateful to Vidarbha for giving me the opportunity to play first-class cricket. My aim is to improve on last year and go one step further,” Nair stated.

Despite missing a full season of first-class cricket, Nair has found a positive in the adversity. “It taught me to value each game and practice harder. That non-playing season has made me stronger and more determined,” he said.

Nair’s recent performances have rekindled his dream of representing India again. “Everyone plays this game to represent their country. My only aim now is to play Test cricket again. I know I’m good enough,” he asserted.

Currently, Nair is focused on winning the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 with the Mysore Warriors. “We’ve qualified for the semis, which was our goal from the start,” he said.

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Vidarbha All-Rounder Aditya Sarwate Joins Kerala for Domestic Season

Vidarbha All-Rounder Aditya Sarwate Joins Kerala for Domestic Season

By August 26, 2024 0

Vidarbha all-rounder Aditya Sarwate has made a significant move by joining Kerala for the upcoming domestic cricket season. The 34-year-old has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and will become the third professional player for Kerala this season, alongside Tamil Nadu’s B. Aparajith and Madhya Pradesh’s Jalaj Saxena.

Sarwate’s decision to leave Vidarbha, where he spent nine seasons, was driven by his desire to play in all three formats of the game. Kerala’s secretary, Vinod S. Kumar, confirmed that the association will soon sign a formal contract with the player.

“After Shreyas Gopal left for Karnataka, we were looking for a genuine all-rounder who could play in all three formats, and Aditya fitted the bill,” said Kumar. “He has performed creditably for Vidarbha for the last nine seasons, and I think his experience and skill will be an asset for Kerala this season.”

As a left-arm spinner, Sarwate has taken over 250 wickets for Vidarbha and is expected to provide strong support for Jalaj Saxena, who has been Kerala’s main strike bowler in recent seasons. However, Saxena will only play red-ball cricket for Kerala this season.

“We had informed Jalaj that he will be selected only for the Ranji Trophy this season,” said Kumar. “He has been our strike bowler and leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy for the last few seasons, and we cannot ignore that. But we felt we needed to groom youngsters for the shorter formats and told Jalaj he was not in our plans for white-ball cricket.”

Sarwate’s addition to the Kerala squad is expected to bolster their all-round capabilities and enhance their chances of success in the upcoming domestic season.

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Mumbai Reclaims Ranji Trophy Throne After Eight-Year Drought

Mumbai Reclaims Ranji Trophy Throne After Eight-Year Drought

By March 14, 2024 0

Mumbai, the undisputed powerhouse of Indian domestic cricket, has reclaimed its throne as Ranji Trophy champions after an eight-year title drought. In a thrilling culmination to the tournament at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai defeated a resilient Vidarbha by 169 runs on Thursday.

The victory marks Mumbai’s record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, further cementing their dominance in the tournament’s history. The hosts set a daunting target of 538 runs for Vidarbha, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar showcased remarkable resilience with his first century of the year, while Harsh Dubey contributed a vital fifty. However, Mumbai’s relentless bowling attack, led by Tanush Kotian’s four-wicket haul and Tushar Deshpande’s crucial breakthroughs, proved too strong.

Mumbai’s triumph is a testament to their unwavering determination and the depth of their squad. Veteran cricketer Dhawal Kulkarni, who bid farewell to all forms of the game with the final wicket of the match, played a pivotal role in the victory.

For Vidarbha, despite their commendable effort, it was a case of heartbreak as they succumbed to defeat in the Ranji Trophy final for the third time after clinching two titles.

Mumbai’s Ranji victory marks a triumphant return to the pinnacle of domestic cricket, ending their eight-year wait for glory. It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Mumbai cricket team and a testament to the talent and dedication of their players.

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Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy Hopes Derailed by “Big Stage Anxiety”

By March 13, 2024 0

Mumbai’s dominance in the Ranji Trophy final has left Vidarbha facing an insurmountable task. After Mumbai’s batting collapse on Monday, Vidarbha’s batters failed to capitalize on Tuesday, leaving them with a daunting target of 528 runs.

Experts believe that “big stage anxiety” has played a significant role in Vidarbha’s underwhelming performance. Chandrakant Pandit and Sulakshan Kulkarni, former Vidarbha coaches, attribute the team’s struggles to the pressure of playing in a high-stakes final.

“Players know that it’s not often that one gets such a big stage,” said Pandit. “At the back of the mind, players keep thinking about all this. This leads to anxiety and eventually numb nerves.”

Kulkarni echoed Pandit’s assessment, stating that Vidarbha appeared “overawed by the big stage.” He also criticized the team’s decision to not bat first, which he believes deprived their bowlers of much-needed rest.

“On Day 1, it was a good pitch for batting,” said Kulkarni. “Batting first would have given the Vidarbha bowlers more time to rest.”

Vidarbha’s plan throughout the season has been to bat first and post a big total, but they deviated from this strategy in the final. Kulkarni believes this was a mistake, as it put additional pressure on their bowlers.

“They made a great comeback after being bowled out for 170 in the first innings against MP in the semifinal,” said Kulkarni. “Even more reason they should have batted first here too.”

With Mumbai’s bowlers in top form, Vidarbha’s chances of chasing down the target appear slim. The team will need a historic effort to overcome the deficit and claim their first Ranji Trophy title.

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Mumbai's Musheer, Iyer Guide Team to Massive Lead in Ranji Final

Mumbai’s Musheer, Iyer Guide Team to Massive Lead in Ranji Final

By March 12, 2024 0

Mumbai’s dominance continued in the Ranji Trophy final as they piled up a mammoth 537-run lead over Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. U19 star Musheer Khan’s century and Shreyas Iyer’s half-century were the cornerstones of Mumbai’s imposing total of 418.

Resuming on 141/2, Mumbai lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane early for 73, but Musheer and Iyer steadied the innings. Iyer, in particular, played aggressively, reaching his half-century in just 62 balls. The duo put on a 168-run partnership before Iyer fell for 95.

Musheer continued to anchor the innings, reaching his second first-class century in 255 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 136, but Shams Mulani’s unbeaten 50 ensured Mumbai reached a formidable total.

Harsh Dubey was the pick of the bowlers for Vidarbha, taking 5/144, while Yash Thakur claimed 3/79.

Chasing a daunting target of 538, Vidarbha openers Atharva Taide and Dhruv Shorey negotiated the remaining overs without losing a wicket, leaving them with a mountain to climb on the final day.

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Mumbai Dominate Vidarbha, Rahane Shines with Half-Century

Mumbai Dominate Vidarbha, Rahane Shines with Half-Century

By March 11, 2024 0

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.

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Shardul Thakur Backs Rahane, Iyer to Regain Form, Urges Support for Mumbai Seniors

Shardul Thakur Backs Rahane, Iyer to Regain Form, Urges Support for Mumbai Seniors

By March 11, 2024 0

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.

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Dhawal Kulkarni Leads Mumbai's Fightback in Ranji Trophy Final

Dhawal Kulkarni Leads Mumbai’s Fightback in Ranji Trophy Final

By March 11, 2024 0

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.

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Yash Thakur Shines Under Umesh Yadav's Mentorship in Ranji Trophy Final

Yash Thakur Shines Under Umesh Yadav’s Mentorship in Ranji Trophy Final

By March 10, 2024 0

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.

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