Mumbai won its 38th Ranji Trophy Championship on Friday. A full strength Mumbai team and a slightly off-color Uttar Pradesh clashed in the finals. In the final analysis, Zaheer Khan happened to be the difference between the two sides.
Scorecard: Mumbai vs Uttar Pradesh, Finals, Ranji Trophy, 2008-09
Chronicle of Ranji Winners
Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Sparkles
Rohit Sharma one again reiterated that he is the next big thing after the likes of Dravid and Tendulkar. He scored centuries in both the innings of the Ranji finals. His century in the first innings rescued his team from the position of despair and helped his team post a good score. By beginning of the next year he will be completely ready for the bigger thing, Test Cricket. In the meantime he can improve his consistency level.
Only recently, the legendary Wasim Akram has hailed Zaheer as the best bowler of the world cricket at the moment. I don’t know whether he is best or not, but he happens to be the difference between the two sides. His spell in the first innings decimated UP’s hope of attaining the Ranji title.
Neutral Venues
There is a debate going on about staging of Ranji matches in neutral venues. It has its own advantages and disadvantages. The idea behind staging matches at neutral venues is to nullify the preparation of doctored pitches suiting home team’s strength.
In this debate, I second what Sachin had said. Playing in home and playing in opponent’s den has its own charm and pressure. Test matches are not played at neutral venues, then why the first-class matches?
To nullify the preparation of doctored pitches to suit home team’s strength, BCCI has to be more vigil and strict. The thing is pitches should not be a rank turner or green top. It should not be extreme of either case. Moreover, it should not be placid like typical Nagpur pitch. Only action speaks. BCCI has to make actions in that regard.
Other Suggestions
Atleast the Ranji knockout matches should be a 5-day affair. 4-day matches are mostly not producing a result. So every team is concentrating on achieving first-innings lead and not on winning outright. It develops some bad work habits in budding cricketers. The focus should be more on winning than securing first-innings lead.
To make all these happen, BCCI has to be very swift in its actions. Hopefully it will be.
Scorecard: Mumbai vs Uttar Pradesh, Finals, Ranji Trophy, 2008-09
Chronicle of Ranji Winners
Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Sparkles
Rohit Sharma one again reiterated that he is the next big thing after the likes of Dravid and Tendulkar. He scored centuries in both the innings of the Ranji finals. His century in the first innings rescued his team from the position of despair and helped his team post a good score. By beginning of the next year he will be completely ready for the bigger thing, Test Cricket. In the meantime he can improve his consistency level.
Only recently, the legendary Wasim Akram has hailed Zaheer as the best bowler of the world cricket at the moment. I don’t know whether he is best or not, but he happens to be the difference between the two sides. His spell in the first innings decimated UP’s hope of attaining the Ranji title.
Neutral Venues
There is a debate going on about staging of Ranji matches in neutral venues. It has its own advantages and disadvantages. The idea behind staging matches at neutral venues is to nullify the preparation of doctored pitches suiting home team’s strength.
In this debate, I second what Sachin had said. Playing in home and playing in opponent’s den has its own charm and pressure. Test matches are not played at neutral venues, then why the first-class matches?
To nullify the preparation of doctored pitches to suit home team’s strength, BCCI has to be more vigil and strict. The thing is pitches should not be a rank turner or green top. It should not be extreme of either case. Moreover, it should not be placid like typical Nagpur pitch. Only action speaks. BCCI has to make actions in that regard.
Other Suggestions
Atleast the Ranji knockout matches should be a 5-day affair. 4-day matches are mostly not producing a result. So every team is concentrating on achieving first-innings lead and not on winning outright. It develops some bad work habits in budding cricketers. The focus should be more on winning than securing first-innings lead.
To make all these happen, BCCI has to be very swift in its actions. Hopefully it will be.
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