?? Are u looking for some cuisine related blog?? Then let me tell u in first place itself, this is about cricket and not food. :-)
This story is about grand yearly event in domestic cricket world. RANJI TROPHY!!
Trophy is now more than 75 yrs old. It has provided stage for many great players to reach international operas. I still remember the days when Mumbai lost to Haryana despite 112 by Vengsarkar and 96 by Sachin. Haryana won by just 4 runs. Vengsarkar was not willing to move from pitch (after all he was not out batsman) and Haryana team (including Kapil, Ajay Jadeja) was running towards pavilion. Those were the days when Ranji used to be telecasted on TV.
And then there was this match between Mumbai-TN. TN scored huge 485 in 1st inning and Mumbai was struggling to reach there. Sachin was holding one end, while wkts were falling at other end. But finally Zaheer kept his patience. Sachin hit crucial 4 to take Mumbai on 489. And next over first ball Zaheer got out. But, Mumbai had all crucial 1st inning lead. Yes, I witnessed it. But not on TV, this time it was Radio.
Post 2000, all were doubting future of domestic cricket. Specially the format. Shall we focus more on one dayers? And where is 20-20 in domestic format? Is this format good enough to create more and more players? Don't know about what are the answers but still Ranji trophy is fresh and played with same competitive spirit.
This season's finale! Mumbai-Karnataka. Tough and experienced teams. 5 days of battle. It has all the ups and downs. Karnakata seemers cleared Mumbai top order cheaply in first inning. Veteran Vinayak Samant held the inning together to take Mumbai to respectable 233. But Vinaykumar and Mithun made the Mysore masala tastier that day.
But, Avishkar Salvi along with other seemers served very spicy Vada pav to Karnataka very next day. Wow!! Good 103 runs 1st inning lead for defending champs. But, that also meant brilliant cooks Vinay and Mithun had another round to serve. And Mumbai in no time was 51/5. Game on!! Hosts seem to had everything under control and Mysore masala seemed to be better dish. Uthappa must be plotting plans about "how to chase 200-220 in 4th innings" at that stage of match.
And of nowhere, when there were 28 overs left in day's play, Wasim Jaffar sent Dhaval Kulkarni (popular no. 10/11) to accompany Abhishek Nair. I am not able to figure out this move till today, but it worked. Nair made 50, Kulkarni stayed there with him..... or was it other way? Kulkarni made 87 to take Mumbai total to 234.
On a miserable pitch (where Srilanka mite have called off match) Karnata had tough target of 325+ in forth innings. Ranji trophy was going to taste Vada Pav for sure!!
But, :) Another twist. Royal Challenger (IPL) player Manish Pandey hit back hard. 144 he made in no time (155 balls) At one stage, Karnataka was 255/3 and was cruising towards target at full speed of 4 runs per over. Ranji trophy will be served Mysore masala.
.... there was another "but" in match. Warrior fell. Game on! End result... another nail biting finish to Ranji season! Ultimately Wada pav proved to be a bit tastier than Mysore masala. But by just 6 runs.
This time I was following all this ball to ball on (cricinfo) and I don't need to restate how exciting the match watch. In fact, there was some other international match going on, but I don't even remember which two countries were playing.
Yet another great season, great finish. Ranji trophy may be served with Wada pav or Mysore masala or Hydrabadi biryani or Delhi chaat... or anything else. But, this menu of Ranji trophy will serve some quality food even in future.!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ho saheb, I was also following this match on cricinfo and at one point I thought we were gone!! there were 17 runs left to get with two wickets remaining..but finally our own bombay duck ajit agarkar came through...what an exciting game..
ReplyDeleteKeep writing sir..