Indian domestic first-class cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, is one of the oldest and longest domestic cricket events in the world. The tournament is named after Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian cricketer to have played for England and Sussex.
In a 1.3 billion strong nation where cricket is a bona fide religion, each morning, thousands of youngsters flock to the ground nearest to them with only one dream – that of becoming the next Sachin Tendulkar. The competition to make it to even the local cricket club is back-breaking. And the closest that one can get to the national team is the prestigious Ranji Trophy.
With 700 plus players representing 28 teams in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, the national selection committee will have their task cut out to recognise a couple of back-ups to be in line with Anil Kumble's vision.
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In no particular order, here are the 5 youngsters who have had a dream debut in Ranji 2016-17.
#1 Murtaza Trunkwala
The young boy from Nashik – who has previously captained the Maharashtra Under-19 and Under-23 Team – has been one of the highest run-scorers for the MCA in the past couple of years. The right-handed, opening batsman’s brilliance with the bat was seen in his century and a half century in the Cooch-Behar trophy ODIs, followed by a record-breaking double ton against Jammu & Kashmir in the longer format of the same tournament.
Often recognised as a big match player in domestic cricket, Murtaza lived up to the trust reposed in him in First Class cricket as well.
In his debut Ranji game against Saurashtra, the opponents posted a huge 657-8 declared. While most of the Maharashtra players lacked the virtue of patience, collapsing like a house of cards, debutant Murtaza was defiance personified, even as Dharmendrasingh Jadeja and Kushang Patel’s individual five-wicket hauls ran through the Maharashtra batting order. His 139-ball 64 and an unmistakable 117 off 227 helped his side salvage a draw.
He spearheaded the batting department nearly the entire first session in a fighting spirit. Murtaza’s ton was marked by 22 flashy boundaries until Jadeja finally got the better of him. In his very first game, the youngest player in the team taught his seniors the art of batting long.
A lone fighter under pressure, Murtaza’s debut was indeed remarkable.
#2 Ashutosh Singh
In January 2016, Ashutosh Singh turned up for Madhya Pradesh against Assam in the Syed Mustaq Ali game. After an impressive bowling performance, where he gave away only 12 runs in his three overs and picked up a wicket, he walked out to open MP’s chase.
However, a mix-up led to him being run out for only 8. Back then, little did the 22-year-old know that he would become the first Ranji Trophy centurion for Chhattisgarh.
Ashutosh's 140 on Day 2 of their game against Tripura at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Ground in Ranchi, helped his side take a firm grip of their opening encounter. The debutant walked in with the team in a faltering situation at 6 for 2.
He began rebuilding the innings with Rishabh Tiwari and Mohammad Kaif. While Tiwari departed on the first day, Chhattisgarh lost both Kaif and Mandal in the first session on the 2nd Day. At lunch, Ashutosh walked in disappointed as his side lost a wicket more than they would have liked.
At tea, the right-hander’s score rose to 91. Soon after the game resumed following a rain interruption, Ashutosh lost three more partners - Shakeeb Ahmed, Sumit Ruikar and Pratik Sinha. As Chhattisgarh slipped to 212 for 9, a fear of Ashutosh missing out on his century surfaced. He eventually got to his ton, off 233 deliveries, with a flick to fine-leg.
A childhood dream was finally achieved. The debut Ranji ton was followed by an animated celebration.
#3 Pankaj Shaw
The 28-year old from Bengal scored a half-century on debut as his side collected 3 points by virtue of their 8-4-run first innings lead against Rajasthan.
In reply to the visitor’s first innings total of 198 in a match interrupted by rain during the first two days, Bengal scored 282 in 90.3 overs with debutant Pankaj's 66-ball-52 laced with three fours and three sixes being the most significant contribution on the final day.
Coming in to bat at 172-5 after Wriddhiman Saha's (8) dismissal, the youngster saw his skipper Tiwary dismissed for 83 with the score reading 190-6 and nine runs still needed for the lead.
Along with former India U-19 player Aamir Gani (29), Shaw added 45 runs, ensuring three points for his team.
Shaw previously played for Bengal U-19 and Bengal U-22.
#4 N Jagadeesan
Tamil Nadu Premier League sensation N Jagadeesan proved his value in the longer format by scoring a century in his Ranji Trophy debut.
The wicket-keeper batsman remained unbeaten on 118 at the end of Day 2 in the game against Madhya Pradesh. The 24-year-old was also involved in a 90-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Kaushik Gandhi.
After eight long years, Tamil Nadu finally had a batsman with a century to his name on his first-class debut. N Jagadeesan pumped his fists in jubilation as the Tamil Nadu camp celebrated his landmark. The spectators could sense the arrival of a potential star.
The Coimbatore batsman has represented the state in Under-14s, Under-19s, Under-22s, Under-23s and Under-25 level. He finished the inaugural TNPL season as its leading run-getter with 397 runs in eight innings.
#5 Amit Kuila
An impressive spell of bowling from Bengal debutant Amit Kuila took his side to the driver’s seat against Punjab in Ranji Trophy Group A clash. The 21-year-old pacer from Kharagpur snared 3/44 to see Punjab struggling on 168/4 at stumps.
It had been a dream come true for the young pacer who had faced much struggle to get his first-class cap. The son of an employee of a cement factory, Amit’s father lost his job a couple of years ago due to political reasons. But the determination of the rookie pacer landed him a Ranji Trophy debut and he didn’t fail to make the most of it.
It has been a meteoric rise for the 21-year old, who was sent to the MRF pace foundation after a brilliant bowling performance in an U-23 match against Chattisgarh. But an unfortunate injury kept him out of cricket for nearly a year. However, another impressive bowling performance in the KSCA tournament earned him a Ranji cap.
Kuila’s maiden wicket in first-class cricket came off his very first ball.
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