Skipper Ajinkya Rahane concentrated hard as his unbeaten 86 off 197 balls took Mumbai to 237 for four against Rest of India on a weather-curtailed opening day of the Irani Cup. The veteran of 5000 plus runs in 85 Tests, who is not on national selectors’ radar, dug deep into his reservoirs of concentration to keep Mumbai on even keel against an impressive duo of Mukesh Kumar (3/60 in 14 overs) and Yash Dayal (1/46 in 15 overs). Shreyas Iyer (57 off 84 balls) and Sarfaraz Khan (54 batting, 88 balls) were tad a more adventurous in trying to get a move on in the 68 overs of play possible on Tuesday.

In fact, Rahane played the second fiddle during his 102-run fourth wicket stand with Iyer after Mukesh had reduced them to 37 for three in his first spell.

At stumps, Rahane had the company of Sarfaraz and the duo had 98 runs for the fifth wicket and would like to consolidate on the second day.

For someone, who has 12 Test hundreds in his 40 first-class tons, Rahane wasn’t exactly very assertive during his stay at the wicket. He has so far hit six fours and a six over long-off off left-arm spinner Manav Suthar’s bowling.

He did hit a few crisp boundaries through off-side but overall never looked like on top of the ROI bowling.

In fact apart from that six and a boundary, Suthar kept him quiet with only 22 runs taken off 58 balls bowled by the Rajasthan spinner.

Against Prasidh Krishna, he faced 38 balls but managed to score only seven runs.

While a century would do no harm to his reputation but Rahane, whose brilliant leadership during the historic 2021 series win in Australia is a part of Indian cricketing folklore, would need to dominate domestic attacks if he remotely harbours any hope of getting a national recall.

In fact, Iyer was more attacking against the lanky Karnataka speedster hitting him for five out of his half a dozen boundaries.

The two sixes — one each off pacer Mukesh and off-break bowler Saransh Jain — were treat to watch before Dayal prised him out.

Sarfaraz took on Suthar and got three boundaries off the left-arm spinner.

India’s team members attend a practice session in Kanpur© BCCI

Young all-rounder Musheer Khan, who survived a car accident while on his way to join the Mumbai team for the Irani Cup, expressed his gratitude to everyone who prayed for his recovery in his first public statement. Musheer, the right-handed batter who also bowls left-arm spin, suffered a fracture in his neck in a serious car accident while on his way to Lucknow from his hometown Azamgarh for the Irani Cup match beginning on October 1 against Rest of India. He was traveling with his father Naushad Khan when their car hit the divider and flipped a few times. The neck fracture will keep Musheer out of action for a few months, which means he will be unavailable for Mumbai in the Irani Cup and initial Ranji Trophy matches.

“First of all, I would like to thank Allah for this new life. I am fine now. My father was with me, he is also fine now. I would like to thank you all for your prayers,” said Musheer in a video on his Instagram account, where he was standing with a bandage around his neck.

Musheer, the younger brother of Test batter Sarfaraz Khan, is expected to be taken to a hospital in Mumbai for a detailed assessment once he’s discharged from the Medanta hospital in Lucknow and flies back home.

The injury comes as a big blow for Musheer, whose was to be included for India A tour of Australia later this year, especially after smashing impressive 181 for India B against India A in the first round of Duleep Trophy.

“Good evening, first of all, I would like to thank the Almighty for this new life. I would also like to thank all those people who have prayed for us – well-wishers, friends, relatives. I am very thankful of all of them.”

“I would also like to thank the MCA and BCCI, who are taking very good care. They are going to give an update on what is going to happen in the future. I would also like to say what we have not got, we should be patient about it, and what we have got, need to be thankful for it, and this is life,” said Naushad, Musheer’s father, in the same video.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is yet to name a replacement for Musheer, India’s leading run-getter in this year’s U19 World Cup, in the Irani Cup squad led by veteran Test batter Ajinkya Rahane.

Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan, younger brother of India batter Sarfaraz, is “stable” after suffering a road accident on the outskirts of Lucknow but is set to miss cricketing action for a prolonged period starting with the upcoming Irani Cup. The 19-year-old is expected to be out of action for at least three months due to neck injuries he sustained in the accident, effectively ruling him out of Mumbai’s matches at the start of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, starting from October 11.

It is learnt that Musheer was en route to Lucknow from Azamgarh, his hometown, for the Irani Cup beginning on October 1. He was accompanied by his father Naushad Khan, who also suffered minor scratches in the accident that took place on the Purvanchal Expressway after his car hit a divider and overturned.

Dr. Bhola Singh, Medical Superintendent at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, said in a statement that the cricketer is out of danger.

“Cricketer Musheer Khan, injured in a road accident on the Purvanchal Expressway, was brought to the emergency department of Medanta Hospital due to pain in his neck. His treatment is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Director of the Department of Orthopedics.

“His condition is stable and he is out of danger,” Dr. Singh said in the statement.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said Musheer is currently “stable, conscious, and well-oriented”.

“He has sustained a fracture in the neck region and is under close observation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) medical teams are closely monitoring his progress to ensure he receives the best possible care,” the MCA said.

“Once Musheer is deemed medically fit for travel, he will be flown to Mumbai for further evaluation and additional medical treatment. The timeline for his recovery will be determined following these assessments.” The development comes as a blow for the teenager who has already scored three centuries and a half-century in nine First-Class games. He had a double hundred in last season’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final, a half-century in the semi-final and a match-winning century in the final against Vidarbha.

He had also begun the 2024-25 domestic season with a hundred in the Duleep Trophy for India B against India A in Bengaluru recently.

Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai are slated to take on Rest of India in the Irani Cup match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here from October 1-5.

After the Irani game, Mumbai will begin their Ranji campaign on October 11 against Baroda. 

Gautam Gambhir‘s stint as the Indian team head coach in the Test format began on a triumphant note as the Rohit Sharma-led side trounced Bangladesh by 280 runs in the 1st Test in Chennai. On Tuesday, the Indian team arrived in Kanpur ahead of the series-deciding 2nd Test at the Green Park Stadium. The team had a fun trip from Chennai to Kanpur, with the players having banter with each other. While Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel were seen bonding over ‘filter coffee’ and ‘chocolate’, R Ashwin revealed he was being ‘bullied’ by his teammates, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

The hilarious interactions unfolded in a video uploaded by the BCCI on their social media handles. The video started with Akash Deep and Axar having some banter with Siraj, who was wearing a bucket hat and a funky sunglass.

In the next segment, Sarfaraz Khan can be seen chanting ‘Jassu, Jassu’ for Jaiswal, who responded by saying that he has fan following like Sachin Tendulkar.

Before the team’s touchdown in Kanpur, Bumrah and Jadeja decided to call Ashwin ‘Ash anna’ and ‘Ash anna for a reason’ on the flight. “They are just bullying me,” Ashwin said in the video.

A journey full of smiles from Chennai to Kanpur #TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/awGef5q1Jd

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 25, 2024

Meanwhile, the selection committee named an unchanged squad for the series decider in Kanpur.

India’s squad for the 2nd Test against Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Jaker Ali Anik

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Tuesday that Sarfaraz Khan will be released to play for Mumbai in the Irani Cup 2024 if he is not included in the playing XI for the second Test match against Bangladesh starting Friday. There have been a lot of conversation regarding Sarfaraz’s future after he was not involved in the first Test match and BCCI have now provided a concrete answer. “Sarfaraz Khan who has been retained in the Team India squad for the 2nd Test, will be released to represent the Mumbai team subject to him not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur,” the BCCI release said.

Yash Dayal and Dhruv Jurel were also included in the Rest Of India squad but their participation will also depend on whether they play against Bangladesh.

“Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal have been selected in the Rest of India squad and their participation is subject to them not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. The 2^nd Test will begin from 27^th September,” the media release further stated.

Ajinkya Rahane is all set to lead Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai in the upcoming Irani Cup game against Rest of India in Lucknow, which will also mark all-rounder Shardul Thakur‘s return to first-class cricket post surgery.

It is understood that all top players including Shreyas Iyer, Musheer Khan, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian are supposed to play the match.

According to PTI, Suryakumar Yadav, who is India’s T20 skipper, and all-rounder Shivam Dube, both of whom are automatic picks in the Indian T20 squad, won’t be playing the Irani Cup as they would have to report in Gwalior on October 3 for the T20I series starting October 6

Rest of India squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK)*, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal*, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar

(With PTI inputs)

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes KL Rahul’s consistent run-scoring secured his selection over Sarfaraz Khan in the playing eleven for the first Test against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai. “You have to look at KL Rahul’s performance in the last few years. He has been fantastic. He scored 100 in South Africa at Centurion. When he played that only Test match against England in Hyderabad, he scored runs. He has been around scoring runs consistently, had a very good World Cup as well.

“But having said that, Sarfaraz had a very good debut series, no doubt about it. As far as I am concerned, India would definitely start with KL Rahul. I don’t see a question there, but it’s good to see that India has that kind of competition amongst players for every position,” said Parthiv to IANS in a select virtual interaction.

Rahul became the designated number five batter since making a fine hundred in challenging conditions against South Africa at the Centurion Park last year.

But after making 86 and 22 against England in Hyderabad in January, Rahul got injured and missed the rest of the series.

In his absence, Sarfaraz came in and smashed 200 runs in three matches, including a fifty on debut in Rajkot. But with Rahul fit and available after making 37 and 57 in first round of the Duleep Trophy, head coach Gautam Gambhir indicated on Thursday that he walks into the eleven ahead of Sarfaraz, a team dynamic which Parthiv agrees with.

He also talked about what makes fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah currently stand head and shoulders above any other bowler in the world.

“The ability to understand the game and delivering under pressure – that’s something which makes him stand apart from anyone else.

“I’ve seen him since he’s made his first-class debut. He was predominantly just in-swinging bowler. But now you can see how he takes the ball away. He has mastered the yorker length very well, and can disguise it really well with his slower ones. Plus, he wasn’t using bouncer as such, but now he’s using that also.

“So he has all the variety, and perfection in all of those balls he bowls. For me, using those balls at the right point of time, and delivering under pressure, that makes him stand apart from any bowler in the world,” he added.

With Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being sure starters for the Chennai Test, it means someone like Akash Deep needs to wait for his chance. But Parthiv has been impressed with what he’s seen of the Bengal pacer so far.

“I think he has bowled very well, and is someone who is a great example of doing well in first-class cricket, and how important it is to play those Ranji Trophy games and do well consistently. Both Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar are the examples of how they have bowled well in first-class cricket, and are exactly getting results for it.

“This year also, Akash has improved a lot, he is hitting the length really well. He has got a bright future. He has played only one Test match but he has impressed everyone. So, high hopes are there from him by everyone. Plus, it is great to see India producing fast bowlers series by series.

“It is not just Bumrah, Siraj and Mohammed Shami. But the second line of fast bowlers are also brilliant in the form of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal. So, there are a lot of bowlers but Akash Deep has been impressive, and there is no doubt about it,” said Parthiv.

Recently, all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen bowling with red-ball in his practice sessions, indicating he might be making a return to playing the longer format, something which hasn’t happened after 2018, owing to a combination of injuries and workload management.

Parthiv thinks the doors of playing Test cricket are still open for Hardik, provided he plays Ranji Trophy. “I personally do not see end of the road for any cricketer. I made a comeback after 8 years, while Dinesh Karthik made a comeback after 10 years. So, there is never an end of road for any cricketer as long as they are playing cricket. That is up to Hardik whether he wants to play Test cricket or not.

“If he wants to play Test cricket, the Indian selectors and everyone has made it clear that you have to play first class cricket. So, to make a comeback into Indian Test side, he will obviously first have to play Ranji Trophy cricket or first class cricket, so to speak. But there is never end of road, and I don’t believe in end of road for any cricketer ever,” he concluded.

The first India-Bangladesh Test on September 19 will be broadcasted live on JioCinema, Sports18 – 1 (HD & SD), and Colors Cineplex (HD & SD) channels.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and the team management will have to keep some of the young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel wrapped in cotton wool after experiencing some early success in top-flight cricket. However, Rohit said these players have a mature head on their young shoulders. “Honestly, we don’t need to speak too much to them. Jaiswal, Jurel, Sarfaraz, all of them… we saw glimpses of what they can do. So, they have everything that is required to be a top player for India in all three forms.

“Obviously we have to nurture them and we have to keep talking to them. But at the end of the day, you know, when you’re playing a sport like this, it all depends on what you think in your mind.

“I think they’re very clear with what they want to do. They’re very hungry to play cricket for India and be successful,” he elaborated.

Rohit said the fearless yet responsible approach of these players have made the team management’s task of handling them a lot easier.

“Jaiswal had a great series (against England at home. Jurel showed what he is capable of with the bat. Getting those runs and in tough situations was good…you know, being fearless and not worrying too much about what happens outside.

“So, you need all kinds of players these days. It’s not about just having one sort of player. You need all sorts of players who are fearless, and who are cautious at the same time. You know, responsible as well. I think we have that mix of everything, which is a good sign,” he explained.

In fact, the series against Bangladesh will be India’s first outing in the traditional format after the home rubber against England earlier this year, in which they won 4-1.

Rohit admitted that returning to red-ball cricket after a lengthy hiatus was not easy but pinned his confidence on the preparatory camp the team had here ahead of the rubber against Bangladesh.

“It’s not easy when you don’t play (red-ball cricket) for a period of 6-8 months. But, see, the good thing is that a lot of guys in the squad are quite experienced. It (long gap) has happened previously as well, which is why it was important for us to have this little camp over here in Chennai,” he said.

The 37-year-old said the Duleep Trophy ahead of this series was a blessing for some of the players like Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, who have not played much cricket in the last few months.

“We assembled here on the 12th and we’ve had a good time spending hours on the field, getting everything together. Yeah, it is tough, but see, now people can manage themselves pretty well.

“The guys who have not played a lot of Tests went on to play the Duleep Trophy, which was good. So, in terms of preparation, in terms of readiness, I feel, you know, we are quite ready for this game and what lies ahead of us,” he signed off. 

Ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan is excited to share the dressing room with India legend Virat Kohli and said ‘his passion and spirit are unmatched’. Sarfaraz, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, is eager to link up with his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Kohli. In the series against England, Sarfaraz could not meet Kohli as the latter withdrew from the five-Test series citing personal reasons.

The youngster lauded the former India captain’s leadership skills and his ability to bind the team together.

“His passion and spirit are unmatched. Whenever I saw him, even in the pre-match meetings, he’d take charge and tell everyone how many runs he’d score off a particular bowler and break that down for everyone,” Sarfaraz told JioCinema. “To be gutsy enough to stand up and talk with such positivity in front of everyone and then deliver the next day is a very unique ability,” he added.

He also shared how his first encounter with Kohli went while making his desire to be his teammate in the national team clear, “I met him at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time. I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed to me. I had a lot of fun that day. It was a dream to share an Indian team dressing room with him it will come true in the future if I get the opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel hopes to parlay his strong form from his debut Test series earlier this year into the series against Bangladesh.

Jurel asked Kohli for the secret that’s allowed him to be so consistent over his career, “I asked him how he stayed so consistent and how I could improve my game. It’s something I’ve always been curious about, I even asked Dhoni sir the same thing. They have become legends and there must be a secret behind it. I know now that doing what seems boring and easy repetitively has built these legends.”

“Kohli told me that, if doing the boring things were so easy to do, everyone would be doing it. You have to keep doing those things and then you’ll be able to accomplish your dreams,” Jurel added.

Sarfaraz has picked up the value of having a routine and being self-aware by watching Kohli over the years at RCB. “He is clear about his game. He knows the work a player needs to keep doing and that criticism or praise shouldn’t affect your game. ‘This is my work, I have to do this in the morning, this in the afternoon, this in the evening, and sleep at a specific time.’ That’s what I have learned from him.”

Both players also pointed out what aspects of Kohli’s batting technique amazed them the most. Jurel said, “How he steps out and hits it over the covers, that’s not an easy shot,” while Sarfaraz picked two signature shots, “I love his flick shot and his cover drive.”

The first Test between India and Bangladesh will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from Thursday.

India’s squad for the 1st Test against Bangladesh, starting September 19, was announced last week with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant making their much-awaited returns to the side. While Rahul played for India during the first two Test against England on home soil, Pant’s last series in the whites for India, co-incidentally, was against Bangladesh in December 2022 before an unfortunate car accident accident sidlined him. With several senior players sidelined due to various reasons, Sarfaraz Khan made his much-awaited India debut against England and was an instant hit.

The Mumbai batter scored 200 runs across five innings including three half-centuries while averaging 50 and scoring at a strike-rate of 79.36.

However, former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth feels Sarfaraz will have to give his place back to KL Rahul.

While offering his sympathy to Sarfaraz, Srikkanth pointed out that Rahul was injured and actually didn’t lose his place. He also added that wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel will also lose his place to the fit again Pant.

“Honestly, I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan, even if you play well, sometimes some big player comes in after an injury, you lose your place – see Rishabh Pant comes in and Jurel has to go out. KL Rahul, at the end of the day, in the back of the mind you should keep the Australia series in mind, New Zealand series is next – so KL Rahul is the man – KL Rahul Rolls Royce has done very well in Australia,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.

Having said that, Sarfaraz will feature in the second round of the Duleep Trophy, despite being named in India squad.

The BCCI, in a release ahead of the second round of Duleep Trophy matches, said: “India B’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have been named in India’s squad and the selectors have named Suyash Prabhudessai and Rinku Singh as replacements respectively. Fast bowler Yash Dayal has received his maiden national call-up while Sarfaraz Khan, who too has been named in India’s squad, will feature in the second-round game.”

Sarfaraz’s selection for the Duleep Trophy game means KL Rahul is likely to be named in India’s XI. The two were seen as direct competitors for a spot in the middle-order.

(With PTI Inputs)