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.

Faiz Fazal announced his retirement from professional cricket at the end of Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy match against Haryana. In an Instagram post, he spoke about his 21-year-old ‘unforgettable ride’.

Vidarbha veteran opener and former captain retires

The veteran opener will retire as the leading run-getter in both List A and first-class cricket for Vidarbha. Fazal was Vidarbha’s captain when they won the Ranji Trophy for the very first time in 2017-18. They successfully defended the title in the next season under his leadership as well.

However, in his only appearance for India that happened in his 30s, Fazal scored a half-century. He was called up for the Zimbabwe tour in 2016 as the selectors sent a second-string squad. In the third ODI in Harare Fazal debuted and remained unbeaten in India’s dominant 10-wicket win.

With just one day remaining in Vidarbha’s this year’s Ranji game, yesterday Faiz Fazal took to the social media. He wrote, “Tomorrow marks the end of an era as I step onto the Nagpur ground for the last time, where my journey in first-class cricket began 21 incredible years ago,”. He added, “It’s been an unforgettable ride, filled with cherished memories that I’ll hold dear forever.”

Fazal about his journey

Fazal played 137 first-class matches, 113 List A games, and 66 T20 matches. He led Vidarbha in 53 first-class games, 36 times in List-A matches, and 27 T20 matches. Speaking of his illustrated career, the domestic giant said,

“Representing both the Indian Cricket Team and Vidarbha has been the greatest honor of my life, and donning those cricket jerseys has always filled me with immense pride. Farewell to my beloved Number 24 jersey – you’ll be deeply missed.”

Fazal also spoke about his future plans, “As one chapter closes, another awaits, and while bidding adieu to my professional cricket career fills me with mixed emotions, I’m eagerly looking forward to embracing the new adventures that lie ahead.”