Ranji Trophy: Mumbai succumb to ‘horrible’ defeat

“We batted very horribly, very horribly. They should have batted, na?” 

Those were the words of multiple-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai’s current coach Vinayak Samant to describe his team’s batting failures against Gujarat in the Group A Ranji Trophy tie at Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.

Dhawal Kulkarni-led Mumbai suffered an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat as Gujarat chased down a target of 204 thanks to a breezy unbeaten 112 by opposition captain Priyank Panchal.

It took just 200 minutes for the visitors to overhaul the meagre total after Mumbai were folded up for 187 in 75.4 overs, resuming from their overnight score of 156/7. First innings centurion Shivam Dubey once again shined with the bat with 55.

Right after the game ended, Mumbai coach Samant summoned his team to the dressing room to find out the reasons behind his boys’ deplorable play throughout the game. It was a marathon meeting that ended after more than an hour.

“In both the innings, we did not get an opening stand, one down (batsman) struggled too. Against Karnataka, similar thing happened. You have to take responsibility, that attitude should be there. However, that Khadoos (gritty) attitude is lacking,” a fuming 46-year-old said.

“You have to know that if situation demands you to stay there, you have to stay there. It was OK to play negative (in the second innings). We wanted to see, after taking the lead in the first, if we could have played longer in the second innings, at least we would have made a match out of it. We did not do it, thus we lost the game,” he added.

On a grassy wicket on the morning of the third day, Mumbai did well to take the first innings lead by dismissing Gujarat for 281, 16 runs short of 297. However, the hosts threw away the advantage after getting all out for the 187 in the second innings, setting up an easy target for Gujarat.

Over the last few years, there is a perception that the upcoming generation doesn’t know the value of a Mumbai cap, something that the veteran Samant concurs with.

“Yes, that is true. Because when a lot of people who have won are not in the team, then one does not know the value. Thanks to IPL, players can play for India but playing four days is very difficult because we have strokeplayers (in the side). We have to work on the techniques, which I am saying again and again. 

“That’s why our Mumbai U-16 bunch is very important. We have to work technically on the 16s, then they will come in the 19s, 23s, then Ranji and we will get a ready-made players,” he said.

The former wicketkeeper said there could be changes in the future in terms of the personnel.

“Unfortunately, we have to take a few decisions. If we have to back a good player then how we have to back him, it’s important. On my part, I can practice with them, I can work harder. As players we are struggling with that. 

“First Ashay (Sardesai), he got four innings but did not get runs. Armaan (Jaffer) came (did not get runs). They have to take that challenge. We are missing that intelligence in the youngsters. Armaan, after scoring 300 (in U-23), played a bad shot. The second innings was similar. That intelligence is important, when and whom to attack,” he said.

The coach, however, is hopeful of bouncing back in the next game. 

“I am very confident. Even on Day One, I was talking to the boys that this was an outright (win) match. Unfortunately, we did not click. Next, we have five matches and we have to win three-four outright games. I have never let my hopes down,” he said.

With the victory, Gujarat jump to the top of Group A with 16 points, while Mumbai are lying sixth with only four points.

Deshpande Injured

Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande has been ruled out of next three Ranji Trophy games after he suffered a tear in his hamstring in the match against Gujarat. The bowler just bowled seven overs before leaving the ground not to return. “He got injured while playing Purshottam Shield. He suffered the tear after bowling a lot,” said coach Vinayak Samant.