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.
