Tushar Deshpande Targets Performance After Landmark Ranji Hat-Trick
Tushar Deshpande added another achievement to his career on Monday, claiming a hat-trick for Mumbai against Chandigarh in their Ranji Trophy Elite clash at Wankhede Stadium. This milestone, which helped leave the visitors reeling, made him the sixth Mumbai bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the tournament, joining the ranks of Jehangir Khot, Umesh Kulkarni, Abdul Ismail, Royston Dias, and Shardul Thakur. The performance marked a significant high in his 50th first-class match, a milestone the 31-year-old was determined to celebrate with an impactful display. So, when he found himself in a three-in-three situation on Day Two of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh at the Wankhede, experience came in handy.
The pacer’s approach was heavily influenced by technical guidance from experts including Dwayne Bravo, Shane Bond, and Eric Simmons. Recalling the specific advice, Deshpande noted, “Bowl your best ball on top of off stump whenever in doubt.” He applied this strategy perfectly for the third wicket of his hat-trick, delivering a delivery that forced Chandigarh No. 5 Dipender Kush to edge to the slips. Deshpande credited Yashasvi Jaiswal for taking a sharp catch to seal the moment. He finished the day with figures of six for 17, having claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings and another strike in the first over of Chandigarh’s second innings. 5 could manage was an edge to the slips, leaving the Mumbai players in instant elation. Though, Deshpande had the advice of a few experts to bank on — Dwayne Bravo at Chennai Super Kings and Shane Bond at Rajasthan Royals, more than experience. The South African who was reportedly roped in by the England Test side on Monday, there was also Eric Simmons.
While Deshpande had previously secured hat-tricks in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Mizoram, an MCA Under-16 selection tournament, and several school-level games for KC Gandhi School in Kalyan, he described this outing as one of his best. His influence on the match extended to the crease as well, where he contributed 44 runs batting at No. 9. With a 351-run lead and Mumbai set to enforce a follow-on, the team is firmly positioned for a potential bonus-point victory. With a 351-run lead and one second innings wicket in the bag, Mumbai are on course for a massive win, thanks largely to Deshpande. 9, have left the visitors on the ropes.
Addressing recent frustrations regarding team selections, including his exclusion from the India A tour of New Zealand, Deshpande emphasized a philosophy of consistency. “I thought about it for a day, but I have always said that I want to chase performance, not selection,” he stated. He added that his motivation remains to represent India in Test cricket regardless of secondary tour selections, focusing instead on giving 100% effort during every match to remain a key performer for Mumbai.
The right-arm pacer has now accumulated 126 wickets in 42 games at an average of approximately 26, further proving his value to the Mumbai side under the mentorship of his father, Uday, a former A Division player. Despite the team’s commanding position, Deshpande urged caution against complacency. “Looking at the scorecard, you always feel the opposition wasn’t good enough, but you cannot take any opponent lightly in today’s cricket,” he said, warning that Mumbai has previously struggled against weaker sides and must maintain their intensity to secure full points.
Looking ahead to Day 3, Deshpande expressed his intent to keep bowling in the right areas on a surface that has continued to assist the seamers. His recent form includes a successful outing for India A against Australia A in Puducherry, where he claimed a five-wicket match haul in the first game and scored a defiant 52 as a nightwatchman in the second to help the team avoid defeat and clinch the series. With the greenish strip assisting the bowlers, Deshpande could be unstoppable on Day 3, as he was in his eight overs on Day 2.
