Tushar Deshpande, who scored a stunning century for Mumbai against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarterfinals while batting at No. 11, has dedicated his performance to his father. The quick bowler stated that his father always thought he could be an excellent all-rounder.
Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande made history on February 27 at Mumbai’s Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC by being the first No.10-11 combo to make hundreds in a Ranji Trophy match. The duo combined 232 runs for the last wicket as Mumbai scored 569 runs in their second innings against Baroda.
Speaking to the news agency. PTI, after Mumbai secured their Ranji Trophy semi-final position based on a first-innings advantage, Tushar Deshpande reminisced on his exceptional batting effort, saying:
“Feeling very satisfied with the knock because I was batting at No 11 and I was able to do this. I always wanted to prove that I can bat, my father always believed that I can be a very good all-rounder and this innings is for him.”
“I can hit big, I have played a lot of rubber-ball cricket and I used to hit big from the U-14 days.”
Tushar Deshpande
While Kotian finished undefeated on 120 from 129 balls, Tushar Deshpande was removed for 123 off 129 deliveries. The two fell one run shy of equalling Ranji Trophy history’s greatest 10-wicket partnership. Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh scored 233 runs for Delhi against Mumbai in 1991-92.
Tushar Deshpande, on the other hand, had no remorse over his expulsion, which guaranteed Sharma and Maninder’s records remained intact. Reflecting about his wicket, he stated:
“The only thing that I had in mind was to play as per the merit of the ball. The ball before (his dismissal) I hit for a six and (on) the ball that I got out, it did not go my way but no grudges that we could not complete the record… another day I might get an opportunity and I will try to do that.”
Tushar Deshpande
Tushar Deshpande currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League. He shone with 21 wickets in 16 matches as CSK won the title in 2023.
Kotian and Tushar Deshpande is only the second No.10-11 pair to hit tons in first-class cricket
With their hundreds in the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarterfinal against Baroda on Tuesday, Kotian and Deshpande became just the second duo in first-class cricket history to get hundreds while batting at No.10 and No.11, respectively.
Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee scored hundreds at Nos. 10 and 11 for India against Surrey at The Oval in 1946.
The Kotian-Deshpande combination is also the third time an Indian combo has scored 200 or more runs for the last wicket. Sarwate and Banerjee lead the prestigious list with 249 runs for India versus Surrey, followed by Sharma and Maninder with 233.