Parthiv set for the big test

There's nothing like winning the final, says Gujarat skipper

It has been a good couple of months for Parthiv Patel. The wicketkeeper-batsman was recalled into the Indian Test side in November after a gap of eight years. Following his return to the national team, Parthiv then led Gujarat to their first Ranji Trophy final in 66 years and the southpaw is just 281 runs short of completing 10000 runs in first-class cricket.

Ahead of the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai, Parthiv expressed that he is happy with his efforts and asserted that winning the title will be a dream-come-true for him. “Personally it has been a good season for me. I am happy with the way I am playing. I am in a happy space. On top of that, it’s good to see our team getting into the Ranji Trophy final. That’s something that I have always dreamt about and there would be nothing like winning the final,” he said.

Parthiv’s boys are up against a formidable Mumbai. The 31-year-old conceded that it is a big moment for his team to take on the 41-time champions. “That’s something (playing Mumbai) very big for us. As cricketers, we have grown up watching Mumbai cricket in the West Zone. We always look forward to compete against them and beat them. We have beaten them in the one-day and T20 formats but in the Ranji Trophy, in the recent past, only once have we got the lead. But as I said, we have grown up watching Mumbai, learned a lot from then,” he offered.

Gujarat clinched the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season and were the champions of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament in the 2014-15 season. While they have enjoyed significant success in the shorter formats, reaching the Ranji final is a major achievement, felt Parthiv.

 “It is a big moment for all of us. We have worked really hard. There are a lot of guys back home who know how much hard work we have put in, how much planning we have done to get this far. The success in the shorter formats has given us a lot of belief. But I am sure playing a Ranji final will encourage a lot of juniors to produce their best,” he said.

Though his team will miss key bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv said the right-arm pacer deserves to play for India. “He has been bowling very well and he has earned his place in the Indian team. He enjoyed a fantastic season and we are all happy that he is representing the country,” he said.