In what can be seen as a troubling pattern for Mumbai’s cherished cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, the woes at the Ranji Trophy compounded with yet another dismissal for no score against Kerala in an Elite Group B matchup held in Thiruvananthapuram this past Friday, January 19. This marked the second consecutive golden duck for the esteemed batsman and Mumbai captain, following his similar first-ball dismissal in the preceding match against Andhra. The mounting sequence of events suggests a steepening path in Rahane’s aspiration for a national side comeback, which appears increasingly uncertain.
The former vice-captain of the Indian Test team has a solid cricketing background, which includes 85 Test appearances for his country. The recent slump in performance, however, poses a considerable challenge to Rahane’s stated ambitions of steering Mumbai to Ranji Trophy success and individually completing a century of Test matches. This desire was vocalized during a press interaction last week, following Mumbai’s second consecutive victory of the season. Yet, his own contributions with the bat have been uncharacteristically subpar, culminating in the latest dismissal by Kerala’s seamer Basil Thampi, which saw Rahane edge the ball directly into the waiting hands of his counterpart, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.
Rahane’s last participation in a Test for India dates back to the West Indies series in July 2023. Since then, the middle-order has witnessed other players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul being favored to fill the slots which has placed Rahane’s position in the side in jeopardy.
Mumbai experienced an underwhelming start to their inning against Kerala as opener Jay Bista was dismissed on the very first delivery, setting a tone of despair which Rahane would soon echo. As Mumbai reeled from the double blow, young Bhupen Lalwani stood witness at the non-striker’s end, and subsequently shouldered the responsibility of steadying the innings. Eventually, Mumbai would see a series of contributions from its lineup to cross the hundred-run mark.
The partnership between Lalwani and Prasad Pawar marked a turning point; their combined efforts guided Mumbai past early setbacks. Lalwani’s steady presence at the crease culminated in a valiant half-century, while later in the order, Shivam Dube and Tanush Kotian each managed to add their own half-centuries to prop up the resurgent Mumbai innings.
Despite the individual heroics, Mumbai’s total was not quite formidable, as they were eventually bowled out for 251. Kerala’s leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal emerged as the star performer with the ball, claiming four wickets to put Kerala in a commanding position. With a relatively low total on the board, Kerala commenced the second day with aspirations of gaining a substantial lead and strengthening their grip on the game.
As the tournament progresses, Rahane’s continued lack of runs is not just a concern for his prospects in the domestic arena but also casts shadows over his international aspirations. While personal milestones like playing 100 Test matches are noteworthy, current form and performance invariably dictate selections.
The Mumbai team, steeped in a rich tradition of cricket and responsible for producing some of India’s finest talents, now leans on the experience and resilience of its captain. Rahane’s career narrative has been one of grace under pressure and rising to challenges. However, the back-to-back golden ducks represent a significant test, both for his technical acumen and mental fortitude, as he strives to return to the form that once made him an integral part of the Indian cricket team.
Mumbai, and Rahane in particular, stand at a crossroads where the coming matches in the Ranji Trophy may well dictate the trajectory of an illustrious playing tenure. For now, the spotlight remains on Rahane, not just as a leader of his side but also as a veteran seeking redemption in the face of adversity.
