Latest news with #Ranji
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Rise and rise of RCB captain Rajat Patidar
AHMEDABAD: As Rajat Patidar got down on one knee and smashed Musheer Khan into the New PCA Stadium stands, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru into the 2025 IPL final, he had become a part of an elite club of captains to achieve the feat. Patidar joined Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori and Virat Kohli — they are the ones to have led RCB to previous IPL finals — in taking the franchise with a massive fan base to their fourth summit clash in 18 years. At this point, it is well established that RCB Director Mo Bobat asked Patidar whether he would be interested in taking the leadership role and from coming back into the team as an injury replacement in 2022 to leading the franchise to the 2025 IPL final, he has had a meteoric rise. And so is the fact that he was all set to get married during the IPL season before being called in as an injury replacement for Luvnith Sisodia. However, it wasn't the first time Patidar was asked if he wanted to be captain. In fact, when the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association and head coach Chandrakant Pandit offered Patidar the Ranji captaincy four years ago, he wished to focus on his performance. "Initially, when we offered Ranji captaincy, Chandu sir asked him, and he was reluctant. He said, 'No, I want to concentrate on my batting',' MPCA secretary Sanjeev Rao recalls. And he did concentrate on his batting. Patidar had two stellar seasons with the bat, averaging over 80 in red-ball cricket during the 2021-22 and 2022 seasons. In the season after, he went on to accumulate 884 runs and soon reaped the rewards with an India call-up. After two seasons with RCB, he made his ODI debut in 2023 and then played Test cricket for India next year. With all the experience and exposure he had since the captaincy offer when Pandit took over as head coach, when Bobat asked the question, Patidar wanted to give it a go in domestic cricket. He went to MPCA and Pandit and asked if he could lead the white-ball sides. 'He volunteered himself this year in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 'Chandu sir, I'll lead the team.' He said, 'Since Shubham Sharma was our Ranji captain, and he is doing well, he shouldn't be disturbed.' When Chandu sir offered him T20 captaincy, he readily accepted,' says Rao. As fate would have it, things fell into place for Patidar and MP. He led the state side to the final of the domestic T20 tournament — the knockouts were played in Bengaluru. Patidar smashed 428 runs at 61.14 average and 186.08 strike rate, taking the team to the summit clash. However, they fell short in the final hurdle against the Shreyas Iyer-led Mumbai. During these knockout games, Patidar and Bobat spent a lot of time talking about captaincy and his leadership. Bobat, too, gave him confidence that he could succeed as captain.
India.com
4 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Happy Birthday Dinesh Karthik: The Comeback Story In Indian Cricket - From Backup Keeper To Indias Trusted Finisher
photoDetails english 2909353 Updated:Jun 01, 2025, 02:12 PM IST Happy Birthday Dinesh Karthik 1 / 10 From being sidelined to becoming one of India's most trusted finishers, Dinesh Karthik's cricket journey is a story of resilience and reinvention. Let's revisit the inspiring career of this ever-evolving cricketer. Early Days & Debut 2 / 10 Dinesh Karthik began his cricketing journey in Tamil Nadu, making his domestic debut in 2002. He soon broke into the Indian team in 2004, playing his first ODI against England. Initially seen as a bright wicketkeeping talent, he was part of India's setup before MS Dhoni's rise. The Dhoni Shadow 3 / 10 Karthik's early career was overshadowed by the emergence of MS Dhoni. With Dhoni becoming India's first-choice keeper, Karthik found himself in and out of the team. Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled for consistency and opportunities. Reinventing in Domestic Cricket 4 / 10 Instead of fading away, Karthik focused on domestic cricket. He became a rock for Tamil Nadu, scoring heavily in the Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophies. His performances forced selectors to take notice, earning him a second chance on the big stage. Comeback Man – India Call-Ups 5 / 10 Karthik's persistence paid off with a return to the Indian squad for the 2017 Champions Trophy. He was no longer just a wicketkeeper—he reinvented himself as a flexible middle-order batter, ready to adapt and deliver under pressure. The Nidahas Trophy Hero (2018) 6 / 10 In March 2018, Karthik scripted one of Indian cricket's most memorable moments. In the Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh, he smashed 29* off just 8 balls, including a last-ball six. That innings earned him the "finisher" tag and immortal status among fans. Versatility & IPL Impact 7 / 10 Throughout his IPL career, Karthik represented multiple franchises including KKR, MI, and RCB. As captain of KKR, he showed leadership and calmness. His adaptability and tactical acumen made him a vital asset in every team he played for. The Finisher & Mentor 8 / 10 Even in the latter stages of his career, Karthik remained relevant. His cool-headed finishing ability stood out, especially in pressure chases. He also began mentoring young players, passing on his experience and sharpening their game awareness. Beyond Playing – The Commentator 9 / 10 Karthik surprised fans with his sharp and witty commentary during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His insights, humor, and deep understanding of the game made him an instant favorite behind the mic, showing another side of his cricketing mind. Legacy & Birthday Wishes 10 / 10 Dinesh Karthik's journey is a tribute to perseverance, adaptability, and passion for the game. From a backup keeper to a clutch performer and mentor, he's done it all. Happy Birthday, DK, a true fighter and an inspiration to many.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Domestic cricket stalwart Abdul Ismail passes away at the age of 79
Abdul Ismail, a domestic cricket stalwart who earned the title of 'Sultan of Swing' due to his exploits for Mumbai (then Bombay), passed away due to a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Friday. He was 79. In a First-Class career spanning a decade since 1969, Ismail was the leader of Mumbai's pace pack in the 1970s. He scalped 244 wickets at an average of 18.08 in 75 First-Class appearances. Besides being a member of multiple Duleep Trophy triumphs for West Zone, Ismail was a key architect of Mumbai's five Ranji titles. According to the veterans, Ismail is one of the leading names of cricketers who remained unfortunate to have missed out on an India cap. Along with Karsan Ghavri and Eknath Solkar, Ismail formed the famed Mumbai pace triumvirate that complimented Padmakar Shivalkar's left-arm spin in the 1970s. In January, he was felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Association to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium. Ismail featured in the first game at the Wankhede. Ismail made his debut in the Irani Cup, where he also made his final First-Class appearance. Following his retirement, he was involved in coaching and also served as a Mumbai selector across age groups and the Ranji Trophy. Related Topics Abdul Ismail
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Former Mumbai pacer Abdul Ismail passes away
Abdul Ismail, a domestic cricket stalwart who earned the title of 'Sultan of Swing' due to his exploits for Mumbai (then Bombay), passed away due to a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Friday. He was 79. In a First Class career spanning a decade since 1969, Ismail was the leader of Mumbai's pace pack in the 1970s. He scalped 244 wickets at an average of 18.08 in 75 First Class appearances. Besides being a member of multiple Duleep Trophy triumphs for West Zone, Ismail was a key architect of Mumbai's five Ranji titles. According to old-timers, Ismail is one of the leading names of cricketers who remained unfortunate to have missed out on an India cap. Along with Karsan Ghavri and Eknath Solkar, Ismail formed the famed Mumbai pace triumvirate that complimented Padmakar Shivalkar's left-arm spin in the 1970s. In January, he was felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Association to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium. Ismail featured in the first game at the Wankhede. Incidentally, Ismail – son of a taxi driver who went on to force batters into false drives – made his debut and the final First Class appearance in the Irani Cup. Following his retirement, besides being involved in coaching, he also served as a Mumbai selector across age-groups and the Ranji Trophy.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
From Shreyas Iyer to Axar Patel: 6 players who deserved to be in the Indian squad for England Test series
Shreyas Iyer once looked like India's answer to their middle-order troubles after Rahane and Pujara were dropped. He even scored a century on debut. But after a poor South Africa tour, he was dropped mid-series against England and hasn't played a Test since, despite doing well in white-ball and Ranji. Had he stayed in the mix, he might've been a captaincy option too.
