It has been 90 years since the introduction of Ranji Trophy in India, and Mumbai has dominated the Premier Domestic Tournament of Cricket in no uncertain terms. Winning 42 crowns, far ahead of second placed Karnataka with 9 wins. No wonder Cricket flows in Mumbai’s air and rests in its atmosphere. The city has adopted the sport as part of its life, through decades, passing it down to generations, as a treasured heritage. When in Mumbai, you cannot escape the presence of Cricket, more so when you are young and impressionable.
Space is a big constraint in Mumbai, it has always been, but for Cricket there is always a piece available. Be it the compounds of residential colonies, the roads or the by-lanes or even the super tight gullys, people have found space to play their favourite sport. And if you have access to a larger playing area, there are several Maidans and Parks, big and small which have aided the flourish of the sport. Rubber balls or tennis balls, underarm or overarm, whatever form it is, Cricket is played come what may. This unflinching desire to play and be associated with Cricket has eventually led to several great players representing Mumbai and India, in all these years.
As the sun sets in Mumbai, a visit to the massive Shivaji Park, Cross Maidan and Azad Maidan, will lend believability to my statement that how beautifully Mumbai has adopted Cricket over the years. These Maidans are the place where eventually great careers shape up. As the light diminishes, a plethora of white shirts and trousers are seen learning and practising the nuances of the game. Devoted coaches leaving no stone unturned in giving the best to their wards. Surely, young children to even current players can be seen sweating it out.
( Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Sajay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar honed their skills at Shivaji Park, while the likes of Wasim Jaffer ( the highest run getter in Ranji history ) and the present day prodigies Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan have slugged it out at Azad Maidan ).
There are hundreds of Clubs in Mumbai, based out of these Maidans and beyond, that are working diligently in giving wings to the dreams and ambitions of enthusiastic young Mumbaikars. This available infrastructure, the love for Cricket, the happiness attached to the sport and an unwavering determination to do well has led to a sea of talent emerging from Mumbai. The Ranji Team of Mumbai therefore is never a pushover, as it has precipitated from a long and arduous grind. The 42 wins and a complete domination at the domestic level is just a reflection of all I have written above.
Mumbai beat Vidarbha at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in the Final of the Ranji Trophy yesterday and added another feather to its already glorious hat. The current Team had a mix of both youth and experience and considering the line- up they have, Mumbai will continue to be a formidable team and a force to reckon with in the future.
There is no stopping Mumbai.
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Featured Image : A jubilant Mumbai Team after winning the Ranji Trophy
Mumbai’s enthusiastic role in promoting cricket in this country is appreciated.This is exactly what Riz Khan has done in this his latest and adulatory blog for Mumbai.
That cricket has flourished in Mumbai despite the constrictions mentioned by Riz and also despite the humidity and sultriness of its weather is something to wonder and admire. Moreover, it has also egged other states to promote the game and emulate Mumbai’s model and example to find and promote some of the best players to represent India at the international level.👍👍
Really appreciate the analysis