All-rounder Kedar Jadhav announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday, June 3. The Maharashtra batter took to social media to share a post reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s retirement note on Instagram. Jadhav, who has a close relationship with Dhoni, also shared a slideshow of career photos accompanied by a Kishore Kumar song.

“Thank you all for your love and support throughout my career from 1500 hrs. Consider me retired from all forms of cricket,” Kedar Jadhav announced in his post, confirming his retirement at 3 PM IST on Monday.

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A post shared by Kedar Mahadev Jadhav (@kedarjadhavofficial)

The announcement mirrored MS Dhoni’s retirement note. Dhoni had surprised his fans on August 15, 2020, with a similar two-line statement on Instagram, a year after his last international game for India at the 2019 World Cup in England.

“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired (sic),” Dhoni had said, sharing a slideshow of career photos with one of his favorite songs, ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shair Hoon,’ playing in the background.

Kedar Jadhav, who played 73 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India between 2014 and 2020, flourished under Dhoni’s captaincy, providing valuable off-spin. The 39-year-old was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.

Kedar Jadhav Shines in Maharashtra’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy Campaign

Kedar Jadhav last played a competitive match in February, representing Maharashtra against Vidarbha in a Ranji Trophy game in Pune. He showcased impressive form, scoring 379 runs in 5 matches, including a century and a fifty, during Maharashtra’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign.

Jadhav was a consistent performer in domestic cricket, amassing 6100 runs in first-class cricket with 17 hundreds and 23 fifties, and 5520 runs in List-A cricket with 10 hundreds. He played 9 ODIs under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, having made his debut under Dhoni’s leadership.

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Kedar Jadhav played 93 IPL matches, scoring 1196 runs. He was part of the Chennai Super Kings team that won the IPL title in 2018. Jadhav also played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2010, Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011, and returned to Delhi between 2013 and 2015.

Jadhav last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023, a team he also represented in 2016 and 2017.

Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, graced the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday (12th March) for the finale of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24, where Mumbai and Vidarbha locked horns in the summit clash. Fresh off leading Team India in the England series, Rohit Sharma exemplified his commitment to the Ranji Trophy by forgoing rest and attending the final, bolstering the spirits of players from both sides.

In recent times, Rohit Sharma, alongside the team management and the BCCI, has been fervently advocating for the significance of red-ball cricket. This commitment was underscored by BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s introduction of incentive schemes to prioritize red-ball cricket over T20 leagues and white-ball formats.

Seen in Mumbai’s dressing room, Rohit Sharma engrossed himself in the game, accompanied by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, meticulously observing and taking notes. His presence at the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 final swiftly circulated on the internet.

A Glimpse into the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Final

Turning to the final showdown, Mumbai asserted dominance, emerging as favorites after posting a modest 224 in the first innings, with Shardul Thakur’s resilient 75 standing out. Mumbai’s bowlers shone brightly, restricting Vidarbha to a mere 105 runs, securing a substantial lead.

In the second innings, Mumbai showcased their prowess with the bat, led by Musheer Khan’s scintillating century, complemented by crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer (95) and Ajinkya Rahane (73), propelling their lead to over 470 runs.

The emphasis on domestic cricket in Indian cricket gained traction following the recent incidents involving Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who skipped the Ranji Trophy upon the team’s request, resulting in the termination of their national contracts by the BCCI.

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Rohit Sharma reiterated the importance of hunger for Test cricket, affirming that opportunities would be extended solely to players displaying such hunger. He emphasized the futility of selecting players lacking the requisite drive, stating, “We will give opportunities to only those who are hungry.”

The BCCI has unequivocally communicated to all players that unless engaged in national assignments, participation in domestic cricket for their respective state teams is imperative.

Prithvi Shaw, the Indian batsman, found himself unable to leave the desired mark in the ongoing final of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The high-stakes clash between Mumbai and Vidarbha unfolded at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Despite the anticipation surrounding Shaw’s performance, he fell short of expectations on this crucial stage.

Mumbai appeared to hold the upper hand in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Following their innings where they set a target of 224 runs, Mumbai swiftly dismissed the opposition for a mere 105 runs. This commanding performance secured them a substantial lead of over 100 runs in the first innings, providing a strong foundation for the remainder of the match.

Shaw’s Disappointment: Vidarbha’s Revival in Ranji Final

However, the second innings took an unexpected turn. While Mumbai was expected to capitalize on their advantage and play aggressively, Vidarbha’s bowlers emerged as a formidable force. Particularly with the new ball, they troubled Mumbai’s batters, making scoring difficult and putting Mumbai’s hopes of a dominant performance in jeopardy.

Prithvi Shaw’s innings, in particular, faced a premature end due to the brilliance of Vidarbha’s Yash Thakur. Thakur delivered a sensational ball clocking 133.4kph, which skillfully seamed in and shattered Shaw’s defenses. Shaw’s dismissal, after managing just 11 runs off 18 balls, came as a significant blow to Mumbai, leaving them in a precarious position early in their innings.

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Despite Shaw’s earlier promise showcased in the first innings, where he scored a respectable 46 runs off 63 balls, his impact ultimately proved limited. Though he displayed flashes of brilliance with elegant strokes, Shaw failed to deliver the substantial contribution his team needed in such a crucial match.

Further exacerbating Mumbai’s woes, Harsh Dubey contributed to Vidarbha’s dominance by dismissing Bhupen Lalwani. This left Mumbai reeling at 34/2, putting immense pressure on the remaining batters, especially skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan, who now shoulder the responsibility of steering their team to a formidable total among a challenging situation.

Former Indian cricketer Shahbaz Nadeem has bid farewell to his illustrious 20-year career in Indian cricket, retiring from all formats of the game. The left-arm spinner expressed his desire to explore opportunities in various domestic leagues worldwide following his exit from the Indian cricket scene.

“After much contemplation, I’ve decided to retire from all three formats of the game. While I’ve always strived to stay motivated and perform at my best, I realize that my chances in the Indian team are slim. It’s only fair that I pave the way for younger talent,” Nadeem shared with ESPNcricinfo.

End of an Era: Shahbaz Nadeem Bids Adieu to Indian Cricket

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A post shared by Shahbaz Nadeem (@shahbaz1208)

He also took to social media to formally announce his retirement. Nadeem’s last appearance in competitive cricket was during Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy 2024 clash against Rajasthan in Jamshedpur, where he showcased his prowess with both bat and ball.

Throughout his career, Nadeem accumulated impressive statistics, claiming 542 wickets in first-class cricket, 175 in List A matches, and 125 in T20s. His notable performances include 32 five-wicket hauls, 33 four-wicket hauls, and 7 ten-wicket hauls.

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Nadeem’s journey in international cricket began in 2019 when he received his Test cap from Virat Kohli during India’s match against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Despite playing only two Tests, he managed to secure eight wickets.

Additionally, Nadeem showcased his talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing teams such as Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, amassing 48 wickets across 72 matches with an economy rate of 7.56.

Yash Rathod and Yash Dubey emerged as the standout players in an intense semifinal showdown between Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh in Nagpur. Despite Dubey’s heroic 94, Vidarbha maintained their edge as the hosts closed Day 4 with the advantage.

Rathod is making an impact

Rathod’s brilliant performance, including his maiden first-class century of 141 runs, propelled Vidarbha to a formidable second innings total of 402. This set a challenging target of 321 for Madhya Pradesh to chase.

As Vidarbha began the day at 343/6, Rathod continued his stellar form, adding crucial runs to push his team past the 400-mark. Despite some resistance from Madhya Pradesh bowlers, Rathod remained determined and resilient until the end.

Madhya Pradesh faced an early setback

In pursuit of the target, Madhya Pradesh faced an early setback with the dismissal of Himanshu Mantri. However, a spirited partnership between Dubey and Harsh Gawli provided hope for their team. Gawli’s quickfire 67 off 80 balls showcased his talent before falling victim to Yash Thakur.

Although Madhya Pradesh suffered a middle-order collapse, Dubey displayed remarkable composure and determination, guiding his team’s innings with a patient knock. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, Dubey held firm, inching closer to his century.

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However, Vidarbha’s bowlers, led by Akshay Wakhare, struck back, claiming crucial wickets to keep the pressure on Madhya Pradesh. Despite Dubey’s valiant effort, he fell short of a hundred, dismissed just six runs shy of the milestone.

As the match heads into the final day, Vidarbha holds the upper hand, buoyed by Dubey’s dismissal. With Vidarbha poised as favorites, the stage is set for an exciting finish to the semifinal clash. Let’s have a look upon the brief score;

Vidarbha 170 & 402 (Yash Rathod 141; Anubhav Agarwal 5-92) lead Madhya Pradesh 252 & 228/6 (Yash Dubey 94, Harsh Gawli 67; Akshay Wakhare 3-38) by 92 runs.