The upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024 semifinal showdown between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu is set to become a stage for redemption for Mumbai’s star batter, Shreyas Iyer. After his unexpected exclusion from the BCCI’s annual central contract list, the 29-year-old cricket sensation looks to reaffirm his place in the national team with an impactful performance starting March 2nd.
Iyer’s absence from the contract list comes as a surprise following his over 500-run spree, studded with two centuries in the last ICC World Cup tournament in 2023. The exclusion was a stark contrast to the commanding presence he had on the field, and despite the successful stint during the World Cup, he found himself out of favor for the Test squad selection. His lukewarm performance on the South African tour and the subsequent two Test matches against England on home soil were noted as the main brink for his omission.
The directive from BCCI was clear: to get back on track by shining in domestic cricket after being dropped. However, Iyer raised eyebrows as he didn’t feature in Mumbai’s quarter-final match against Baroda. This decision arguably enhanced the impact of his absence from the central contracts and put him in a position where his performance in domestic cricket became crucial for his career trajectory.
Iyer comes with a stellar record in first-class cricket, mounting a substantial 5559 runs across 70 matches at an average of 49.19. This semifinal thus presents more than just a match; it’s a moment to rechart his course into the national squad. His impressive numbers in the longer format of the game are a testament to his ability and resilience and could play a pivotal role in Mumbai’s pursuit of the Ranji Trophy title.
At the helm of the Mumbai team is the seasoned cricketer, captain Ajinkya Rahane, who is buoyant about Iyer’s addition to the squad ahead of the crucial game. Rahane, in his interaction with the media, conveyed the squad’s enthusiasm for having Iyer back in the folds. He believes that Iyer’s experience and past contributions to Mumbai’s successes speak for themselves, negating the need for any special encouragement or pep talks.
“He’s an experienced player,” Rahane expressed with a note of confidence. “His contribution has been amazing whenever he turned up for Mumbai. We are thrilled to have him in our team for the semifinal. I don’t think he needs any encouragement or advice. He has always contributed with the bat for Mumbai, and him being around other players in the dressing room will also help the team’s cause.”
Rahane, reflecting on his own form, acknowledged a need to overlook personal stats and focus on playing his natural game. His 2024 season hasn’t been the most prolific, with only a single half-century to his name. Rahane is determined to not let the numbers play on his mind, and instead, is looking to take to the field with positivity, backing his skills and playing instinctively.
“It’s just a phase and you have to respect it (not scoring runs). When you’re batting well and scoring runs, it happens consistently. There’s nothing wrong with my batting. I just have to remain positive and back my game and instinct. I just have to go out there and play freely. I feel as a player you have to be confident and respect a phase, move forward and learn whatever you can. You don’t want to go too far ahead,” said Rahane, shedding light on his approach for the upcoming encounters.
As Mumbai faces Tamil Nadu, all eyes will be on Iyer, not just for his prowess with the bat but also for his resilience in the face of setbacks. His journey continues, a narrative of highs and lows, but with the Ranji Trophy as a proving ground, Iyer has the chance to rewrite his script, urging selectors to take note and the fans to witness the rebirth of a cricketing force.
