Old guard Ajinkya Rahane understands the importance of religiously turning up for home matches to develop into a battle-hardened cricketer. So it got here as no shock when the batter Thursday lauded the BCCI for pushing gamers in the direction of excelling in red-ball cricket. The BCCI has been actively urging the senior cricketers in the direction of enjoying red-ball cricket, together with home competitions such because the Ranji Trophy. “I want to mention about BCCI for giving importance to domestic cricket, which is a very good thing. Allowing players to go and play domestic cricket is very important,” Rahane stated after guiding Mumbai to a record-extending forty second Ranji Trophy title.

The board had not too long ago dropped middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan from the central contracts checklist for not taking the Indian staff administration’s recommendation of enjoying Ranji Trophy so as to regain their type and show their health.

Speaking concerning the triumph, Rahane stated Mumbai should look to repeat this efficiency within the subsequent season.

Mumbai gained the premier home competitors for the primary time since 2015-16, defeating Vidarbha by 169 runs within the last right here on the Wankhede Stadium.

In truth, for the Ranji Trophy behemoths, it was their eleventh win in 13 finals alone on the Wankhede.

“For us, what is important is that (in the) last couple of years, as a team we are playing good cricket. Our players are actually going into Indian team and representing Indian team which is a very good sign for Mumbai cricket again,” Rahane instructed the media after main his staff to title triumph.

“I’m not too bothered about other teams, but from here on, for Mumbai cricket, it is important to keep growing, keep thinking about how can we get better as a team in all the formats. We want to repeat this in coming years so our focus will be on that,” Rahane stated.

Rahane stated Mumbai will be happy with the truth that a number of of their gamers are both enjoying for India throughout codecs or have been across the nationwide facet within the latest instances.

“This victory means a lot to us. It is very special as you mentioned, (Mumbai) representing almost 10 players across formats and which is a very good sign. We all are happy (for) guys who are representing India right now from (the) Mumbai team,” Rahane stated.

The win additionally introduced an finish to the profession of Mumbai and India seamer Dhawal Kulkarni, who retired after taking 281 wickets in 95 first-class matches whereas having additionally performed 12 ODIs and two T20Is for the nation.

Kulkarni stated he has no complaints about not having a protracted profession on the worldwide stage.

“What is gone is gone, I look at the future than what has happened in the past. I know I should have played more cricket for the Indian team,” Kulkarni stated.

The right-arm pacer stated he could be accessible to take up any function which retains him related to the game.

“I have not thought about it much but cricket has given me so much that I want to give it back to cricket. Whether it be coaching or whatever I get, I want to give it back to cricket,” Kulkarni stated.

Kulkarni, who had the distinctive distinction of taking the primary and the final wicket within the last, stated Mumbai have been at all times affected person in opposition to Vidarbha’s resistance.

“Winning a final in a tough way is what you want and that’s what we did as a team. We hung on to our nerves, put pressure, bowled really well, all the bowlers chipped in, it was you could say bowling in partnership and that’s what we did,” Kulkarni stated.

“We didn’t lose our nerves. In the end we knew that we wanted one wicket, we wanted to break that partnership,” he added.

Rahane, who had described Mumbai’s head coach Omkar Salvi as ‘low-profile’ in home cricket, stated he made an enormous distinction.

“Massive difference. The credit goes to him. Our journey as a team started from June (in 2023) and it was all because of Omkar’s vision,” Rahane stated.

“We had some vision as a team but it came from Omkar so he focused on fitness, creating a great culture in the team, giving freedom to all the players, not only on the field but off the field as well. When someone is not doing well, you have to back that individual,” he added.

Kulkarni seconded Rahane and stated Salvi created the correct surroundings for his or her facet.

“I also like to add that when you want a coach, you want to be a good friend of the team you are coaching. Omkar has been that person who everyone looks up to. He’s helped me a lot in my bowling career,” Kulkarni added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)