Kolkata : Maharashtra leading run scorer and iconic Batter Ankeet Bawane has sparked positivity on Maharashtra Cricket’s upcoming future, despite their struggling phase in recent years.
Maharashtra Cricket in Ranji Trophy has seen a dip in form. Not only did they fail to win any Ranji Trophy title since 1940 but also get disqualified from group stage every year.
Bawane stated that unlike other states like Mumbai who has lots of experienced players, Maharashtra, in transition phase, play with bunch of youngsters who don’t have much experience in Cricket, and we can’t expect them to perform from Match 1.
The only experienced guns are Bawane himself and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Maharashtra are in a transition phase, trying to build good team and set a process. They want to back youngsters and give them full opportunity to prove themselves.
According to Bawane, Ranji which is a 4 days game tests a player’s character and if they set this process, Maharashtra will do well in upcoming years.
“This (Ranji Trophy 2024-25) is an important season for us. We play with lot’s of youngsters unlike other States like Mumbai who’ve lots of experienced players, in our side there’s only myself and Ruturaj. Other guys are very young and you can’t expect to go and perform from 1st game and right now we’re at that stage where we are trying to build a good team and process and win games , back our youngsters and give them opportunities so that they can prove themselves. For example Sachin Dhas played really well in last game, scoring 98 runs, so we need youngsters like that who can lift the morale and responsibility. So as a team we’re at the correct path, we’ve been doing well and playing fantastic Cricket, even last year we played quarter finals and year before the finals, so as a team we’re doing great, all we need is to be hard on ourselves and play Ranji Trophy.
Ranji is a test of character, a 4 day game, you can always comeback. If we back each other and set very good process, I think Maharashtra can do well on coming years”, said Bawane over an exclusive phone interview with Sportslight Media.
Last season, Maharashtra only registered 1 win out of 7 matches and were knocked out from group stage facing disappointment.
As per Bawane, the Bowling and Batting unit couldn’t capitalize. However, they got lessons after last year and are trying to play a different brand of Cricket and set a good process. They want players who can Bat for whole day and Bowl their best. Despite struggling since 2015-16, Bawane feels that setting up a good process can be beneficial and Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) is playing a role in that.
Bawane said, “As a bowling and Batting unit we couldn’t capitalize, can’t point out particular reason. But we got out lessons last season that we’re trying to play a different brand of Cricket and set up good process – we need players who’re willing to Bat for whole day and bowlers who can give body on line for team. So last year we couldn’t do well in Red Ball Cricket, we’re struggling since 2015-16 but we’re trying to set up a process and MCA is playing a big role in that”.
“My goal is to win games and Ranji for Maharashtra”, added Bawane.
