Ranji Trophy: Test dreams fuel Mumbai’s stars

[[{“value”:”

The Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘D’ opener between Mumbai and Chandigarh beginning at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday presents opportunities for players from both sides to make an early statement in the new season.

For Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, off-spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian, and pacer Tushar Deshpande, who have been knocking on the doors of the national Test team with consistent performances in the recent India ‘A’ versus Australia ‘A’ games, the match offers another chance to start the Ranji Trophy campaign on a high.

All-rounder Tanush Kotian bats at the Wankhede nets on the eve of Mumbai’s opening match against  Chandigarh on Saturday

Test batter Sarfaraz Khan, who was part of the Indian Test squad during the recent Sri Lanka tour, will also be keen to score big and impress the national selectors ahead of India’s New Zealand tour.

NZ series coming up

Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, is set to play three multi-day games for India ‘A’ in New Zealand from October 24 in Lincoln. A substantial score here would boost his confidence ahead of the challenging tour.

Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande and Sarfaraz Khan

Teenaged opener Ayush Mhatre, 19, who captained India to the U-19 World Cup title, will also look to make the most of his opportunities as he takes on additional responsibility as Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad’s deputy.

Kotian, 27, who has claimed 146 wickets and scored 2,292 runs in 47 first-class matches, is hoping to earn a place in the Test squad for the upcoming away and home series against New Zealand and Australia respectively.

Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra

“I have been using the crease really well, creating different angles while bowling over and around the wicket to both right- and left-handed batters. I’m also working on my pace, understanding which pace is effective on a particular wicket, and developing variations. I have also worked on the arm ball with the new ball.

‘Working on my skills’

“I have been working with [former India left-arm spinner] Sunil Joshi sir at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and [former India batter and selector] Jatin Paranjape sir at the Vasoo Paranjape Cricket Centre in Bandra. I’m working on my skills, and I think these Ranji Trophy games will be crucial for me to perform well and earn a place in the [Test] side,” Kotian told reporters on the eve of the Ranji Trophy opener on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh, led by Manan Vohra, will be eager to make an impression against the 42-time champions in their first match against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. The team will also look to benefit from the appointment of new head coach Vinayak Samant.

“The Wankhede is a good place to play cricket, and facing a side like Mumbai is a great opportunity. The bigger the team, the bigger the opportunity for us to shine, both as individuals and as a team. So, I’m looking forward to it.

“He [Samant] has been talking about some good things, and tactically, I think he is going to help us a lot. He has been with Mumbai, has won a couple of trophies, and I’m sure that experience will really help the team,” said Vohra, who has scored 3,992 runs in 70 first-class matches.

48
Total number of times Mumbai have reached Ranji Trophy final in 91 editions — they won on 42 occasions and finished as runners-up six times

“}]]