Indian domestic season 2016/17

[Prashant]

A century on debut for 17 year old Prithvi Shaw sees Mumbai easily beat TN to enter their second Ranji final in a row. After conceding the first inning lead, TN had no choice but to set a competitive target & try to bowl Mumbai out, but Shaw's century got Mumbai home with six wickets to spare. Looking through the Mumbai lineup, only Shardul Thakur has sniffed the fringes of the national team - none of the other players have even been in the discussion. Shows how deep cricket runs in Mumbai.

In the other semi, Jharkhand took a first innings lead, and had a smallish target of 235 to win, but Bumrah (6 wickets) and RP Singh (3 wickets) ran through them for 111.

So we have a Mumbai vs Gujarat final...

[prasen9]

... Looking through the Mumbai lineup, only Shardul Thakur has sniffed the fringes of the national team - none of the other players have even been in the discussion. Shows how deep cricket runs in Mumbai.

Cricket does indeed run deep in Mumbai. But, I did not get the connection with the last statement. BTW, I think I have read several articles that has talked of Shreyas Iyer as a serious prospect. But, nevertheless, let us say that you mean that none of them have even made it to the A-team or been a reserve. That is possibly true. If anything, it shows me how shallow Ranji cricket is today. Because none of the India-players actually play the domestics anymore, you can construct a team without any India-players who can qualify for the finals (and win it too). There is no fix to it. What it also means is that we have to treat Ranji performances with a grain of salt. Anyway, the season is of 7-9 matches. So, (a) one should look at long-term success, e.g., someone who has done it year after year. Look at their lifetime performances and not only in this season. I would put Bawane, Iyer, Vihari, Nair in this category, or (b) take a punt with an exceptionally talented junior guy, who just blows up the domestics this season. Then choose them train them up in the A-teams, LOIs, etc. I would put Risabh Pant in this category. This will give us the Hasib Hameed, Matt Renshaw, S. Ramesh T., H.S. Plaha, Mohinder Jain Bhardwaj - types.

[Prashant]

If anything, it shows me how shallow Ranji cricket is today. Because none of the India-players actually play the domestics anymore, you can construct a team without any India-players who can qualify for the finals (and win it too).

I see your point, but I'm not sure I agree, because these things can be judged relatively. Two of the Ranji semi-finalists (Mumbai & Jharkhand) had players who have not come close to the India team. The other two (TN & Gujarat) were replete with players that have played A or senior India games, and in the case of guys like Bumrah are still very much in team consideration. To me, it suggests Mumbai has a deeper pool to draw from. Am I getting that backwards?

[prasen9]

You may have a point. But, I do not understand that. Mumbai does not have anyone in the Indian team either except Rahane and Dhawal. Both are injured. So, we are not talking about depth of the Mumbai team. We are talking about their first team pretty much. So, I do not know why you think they have depth. Two injuries is not too many. If they had say 4-5 injuries, then we could have talked about depth. One factor is that Mumbai plays very well as a "team" and is mentally quite strong. They always believe they are going to win, even when they are badly down. Maybe some of that is from playing the cut-throat Kanga league. Or whatever club-scene Mumbai has. And, sometimes, collectively a group of people perform more than the sum of their parts. I think that is also what you can see in this (and other) Mumbai teams. They pick each other up and hunt as a group. Regarding depth, maybe they have quite a deep bench. But, I do not see how you conclude that they have based on only two people injured. Or are there a lot others injured? I am not questioning your statement. Just trying to understand. Maybe some of their openers were also injured because of which they played the 17-year old? But, I heard that the openers were out of form and dropped. Let me know.

[PKBasu]

Parthiv top-scored (for either side) with 90 in the first innings of the Ranji final, giving Gujarat a healthy lead over Mumbai. The latter have a knack for making big comebacks in such matches, so it isn't over yet by any means -- with 3 days to go.

[prasen9]

This 17-year old seems to be pretty good. We need openers or will need them soon. It is possibly too early but maybe given the performances in the semis and the finals of our premier tournament, maybe worth trying him in India-A or so.

[sameerph]

Mumbai is fighting back with 200 for 3 in second innings with good knock by Shreyas Iyer. This match may go down to the wire.

[PKBasu]

Mumbai will fight to the bitter end. 361/8 at tea on the penultimate day, so already a 4th innings target of 262 forGujarat, who will need to decide whether to go for the target or close shop and try to draw -- thereby winning the Ranji trophy based on first innings lead.

[sameerph]

A target of 312 is set and Gujarat is 47 for no loss at close. It is going to be an exciting final day.

[Prashant]

Indeed. But Gujarat must start as heavy favorite, because they can play defensive & win on first innings lead.

By the way, Priyank Panchal of Gujarat is about 100 runs short of breaking VVSL's record of most runs in a Ranji season.

[sameerph]

Parthiv Patel seems to be playing a captain's knock on the last day here with an unbeaten century. Gujarat is now only 60 runs away from the target with 6 wickets in hand.

[Ram]

History about to be made by Gujarat. 27 runs to win. Hats off to Parthiv. I used to be his critic, happy to eat humble pie.
This Abhishek Nayar is some guy! what a performer and motivator. I hope after he calls it a day to his playing days he takes up coaching seriously.

[sameerph]

Yes, Gujarat wins the Ranji trophy for the first time in the history. They become the 17th team to win the Ranji trophy. Mumbai has finished runner up only the 5th time in 46 finals. So, great that Gujarat were able to do that.

[Prashant]

Well, as a Mumbaikar I am a touch disappointed, but at the same time congratulations to the deserving winners! Parthiv continues to stake a strong claim for an extended India run.

[prasen9]

I don't think with Parthiv's keeping he should be near the Indian team. He should certainly be considered as a backup bat given his excellent batting in the domestics. I would try him on a A-tour to see if he can bat consistently overseas. On a foreign tour, if the numbers are a concern and we cannot afford to send specialist players, we can send him because he can "keep" allegedly and can bat. But, I think this Indian board has the money to send one extra player and send specialist batsmen and wicket-keepers. It's time to try Pant to see if he can keep and bat.