Attitude won it for us, says Shivalkar
Even if we finish runnerup, it is considered as a failure. Now, the competition is tougher than when I started. Gujarat were pushovers then, now they are the Ranji Trophy champions. Mumbai will need to set the bar even higher.
WASIM JAFFER, Former Mumbai skipper
came back to win the game and it happened quite a few times. That was the team spirit we had, the Mumbai team just wanted to win everything,” said Shivalkar, the highest wicket-taker for Mumbai in Ranji.
Recollecting his favourite moment wearing Mumbai’s lioncrested cap, Shivalkar picked the 1972-73 final against Tamil Nadu in Chennai when Mumbai were bundled out for 151 on the first day and the hosts had scored 62 for two at the end of Day One.
“Eknath Solkar was my roommate and in the morning we were lying down our beds, blankly staring at the ceiling. Solkar thrice asked: ‘What will happen tomorrow, Paddy?’ I kept mum the first two times, and then told him, ‘C’mon lets go for breakfast, and it’s my responsibility. I am going to flight the ball (to test the batsmen even though it was risky)’,” narrated Shivalkar.
“From 62 for two, TN were knocked out for 80,” said Shivalkar, who took 8 wickets for 16 runs. The match lasted two days and one ball on the third day as Mumbai took another title.
“Mumbai is the most determined side, that’s why they have won more than anybody. And, we will remain like that.”
Former India opening batsman, Wasim Jaffer, the highest run-getter for Mumbai, said, “It has been an honour to have won the Ranji Trophy eight times with Mumbai.” Jaffer equated winning the Ranji like a marathon race where you have to run for hours to win it. “Here you have to play well for eight to 10 matches to win the trophy,” he said.
Out of the eight triumphs he was part of, Jaffer singled out the Mysore final (2009-10) against Karnataka that Mumbai won by mere six runs and the 2006-07 season, when Mumbai had lost the first three games and then had to win every match outright to win the trophy.
“Even if we finish runner-up, it is considered as a failure. Now, the competition is tougher than when I started — Gujarat were pushovers then, now they are the Ranji champions. Mumbai will need to set the bar even higher.”
For Jaffer, the intense competition for places has been the key to the team’s success. “There’s no comfort zone, you are pushed all the time, Mumbai has a reputation of dropping senior players hence the senior player has to keep stepping up, and the youngster has to prove himself.”