Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 Matchday 1 roundup: Results of all the matches
Bengal won against Delhi, Karnataka chased down a massive 383 against Mumbai while Pondicherry defeated Saurashtra by five wickets on matchday 1 of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
Shreyas Iyer scored a 50-ball ton against Karnataka, which went in vein. Image | PTI
Bengal won against Delhi, Karnataka chased down a massive 383 against Mumbai while Pondicherry defeated Saurashtra by five wickets on matchday 1 of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.
Three matches were abandoned due to rain and weather while we saw some exciting games on matchday 1 of the India's Premier One-Day Domestic tournament.
Shreyas Iyer scored a blistering unbeaten 114 from 55 balls while Bengal wicket-keeper batter Abishek Porel smashed an unbeaten 170 from 130 balls against Delhi.
Iyer's ton went in vein as Karnataka keeper Krishnan Shrijith scored an unbeaten 15o from 101 balls to chase down the massive target of 383 with 22 balls remaining.
On the other hand, Anmolpreet Singh smashed the fastest List A ton by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 35 balls against Arunachal Pradesh.
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the India vs New Zealand Final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be played today at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Exactly a week ago,India faced off against New Zealand in the last group game of the Group A. India won the match by 44 runs to finish first in the group stage.
Both teams have displayed supreme cricketing action so far in this tournament, setting up a potential thrilling final. So just relax and enjoy the epic clash as Sportz Point provides you with all the real-time updates, team news, live scores, images and match commentary of the epic India vs New Zealand Final in the ICC CT '25.
After a slow start, Shubman Gill steps out of his crease to punch the ball over long off for a six!
India 86/0 after 14 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:47 PM
Rohit completes his fifty
In just 41 balls, Rohit Sharma scores his first fifty in ICC knockouts!
India 65/0 after 10.1 overs
Mar 9, 2025, 1:43 PM
Rohit goes bang-bang! INDI 59/0 after 8
Rohit hits two fours and one huge six against Smith and put more pressure on New Zealand.
India 59/0 after 8.
Mar 9, 2025, 1:36 PM
India cross 50 in 7th over
Rohit smacks Smith over the side screen and his third six of the inning brings India’s 50!
India 50/0 after 7.2 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:32 PM
Mitchell drops Gill!
This is very rare from New Zealand team!
Gill tried to step down and got the inner edge!
Mitchell at short mid-wicket could not hold on to catch!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:31 PM
Rohit welcomes Smith with a 6! IND 39/0 after 6
Rohit had it enough!
The Indian skipper stepped out to hit Smith over the long on for a six!
India 39/0 after 6!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:29 PM
Tight over from Jamieson | IND 31/0 after 5
Tight over from Jamieson as the does not allow Gill to extend his arms!
India 31/0 after 5 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:22 PM
NZ pull things back | IND 30/0 after two
After two poor overs, New Zealand bowlers Jamieson and Will pulled things back with some dot balls!
India 30/0 after 4 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:11 PM
Rohit at his best! IND 22/0 after 2
Two boundaries in the second over from Rohit Sharma!
India get 13 from the second over!
India 22/0 after 2 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 1:09 PM
Great start for India!
Welcome back from the break!
This is Koushik Biswas with the updates of the second inning!
Rohit with a huge six and India 9/0 after first over!
Mar 9, 2025, 12:42 PM
Innings break | NZ post 251, India will chase 252
Throughout the middle overs, New Zealand batsmen were kept in a chokehold by Indian spinners. The Kiwis passed the 250-run milestone thanks to Michael Bracewell's 40-ball 53, but Mitchell produced a fairly leisurely fifty. A challenging score combined with few on-field problems could work in India's favor.
The Kiwis have posted a hard-fought 251 for 7 wickets in 50 overs.
India will have to chase down 252 to win!
Mar 9, 2025, 12:29 PM
Brilliant fifty for Bracewell!
An absolute brilliant half-century for Bracewell as he completes the mark with a two.
51 off 39, studded with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:26 PM
Santner Run out!
Santner pulled it straight to Kohli at deep midwicket, Kohli throws it back when Santner was trying to snatch the second, but KL Rahul whipped off the bails quickly.
Santner gone, Smith comes on.
Despite an expensive over of 11 runs, a wicket in the last ball.
NZ 239/7 in 49 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:21 PM
Over the long-on!
Bracewell clattered Hardik's short ball delivery over the long-on for a huge six!
Mar 9, 2025, 12:19 PM
Hardik Pandya comes into attack
Hardik Pandya comes in to bowl the crucial 49th over.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:13 PM
NZ 216/6 in 47 overs
Only four runs off Kuldeep's last over of his spell.
NZ 216/6 in 47 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:09 PM
NZ 212/6 in 46 overs.
Despite conceding 10 runs in the first three balls, Shami removed Mitchell to fall NZ's sixth.
Four overs remaining.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:08 PM
Gone! Mitchell is dismissed!
Daryll Mitchell misread the pace and length and tried to send it through the cover, where Rohit Sharma takes a simple catch to end his innings.
Mitchell goes back after a good innings of 63 off 101.
Kiwis skipper Santner comes on to bat.
NZ 211/6 in 45.4 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 12:06 PM
10 off the first three balls of the 46th!
4,2,4!
Mohammad Shami came into attack but faced two boundaries. Mitchell has steadied on the crease.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:59 AM
NZ 196/5 in 44 overs.
Mohammad Shami came into attack but faced an expensive over, giving away 12 runs including a six!
NZ 196/5 in 44 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:51 AM
NZ 178/5 in 42 overs.
Only three off the 42nd over delivered by Varun.
NZ 178/5 in 42 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:50 AM
Half-century for Daryll Mitchell
Daryll Mitchell has pulled off a half-century off 91 deliveries.
Although it has been sloppy, the innings steadied the ship for NZ.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:49 AM
Match resumes
Mitchell smashed the ball straight towards Varun’s foot. He was hurt and now back after getting medical treatment.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:40 AM
NZ 172/5 in 40 overs!
Last ten overs are remaining!
Mitchell on verge of his half-century, though it comes in a sloppy manner.
NZ 172/5 in 40 overs!
Mar 9, 2025, 11:36 AM
NZ 165/5 in 38 overs
NZ are is deep, deep trouble now.
Daryll Mitchell batting on 44* off 79 along with Bracewell who just replaced Phillips.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:33 AM
Varun removes Phillips!
Varun Chakravarthy landed the delivery just outside off, and it breaks Phillips stumps!
Important wicket for India!
Phillips goes back after making 34 off 52, as Bracewell comes on to bat.
NZ 165/5 in 38 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:28 AM
Fifty runs of partnership between Mitchell and Philllips
Daryll Mitchell and Glenn Phillips have fought back for New Zealand, posting a 51-run partnership off 80 balls.
NZ 161/4 in 37 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:27 AM
NZ 156/4 in 36 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:23 AM
Shubman drops Phillips!
It has been a tough day at office for the Indian fielders!
Gill missed the catch while running to the left from deep square leg. He got both hands on the ball, but it slipped away and fell to the ground.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:21 AM
121 dot balls played so far till 36 over
Mar 9, 2025, 11:18 AM
Rohit drops Mitchell!
That was a one-hander effort from Rohit Sharma in the midwicket at 34.5, but the ball tipped off his right hand.
NZ 153/4 in 35 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:17 AM
NZ 150/4 in 34.3 overs
Although the NZ batters are forced to play a lot of dot balls in the last couple of over, the Kiwis reach 150.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:15 AM
NZ close to 150 runs
New Zealand are just a run behind to touch the 150-run mark.
NZ 149/4 in 34 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:06 AM
30 overs are up!
Daryll Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are holding onto the crease, NZ 135/4 in 30 overs.
Axar Patel comes in to attack.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:02 AM
NZ 131/4 in 29 overs
Five off the over against Kuldeep, including a boundary.
Mar 9, 2025, 11:00 AM
Six on the last ball of 27th
Phillips gets a boundary after 81 balls for NZ. He extends his arms, a full swing of the bat, and goes straight over the bowler's head.
NZ 123/4 in 27 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:53 AM
NZ 116/4 in 26 overs
Only two singles off the 26th delivered by Jadeja.
NZ 116/4 in 26 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:47 AM
NZ 110/4 in 24 overs.
NZ can find themselves in the backfoot after the dismissal of Tom Latham, whereas India have taken the driver's seat.
NZ 110/4 in 24 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:45 AM
Decision stands! Latham departs!
Ravindra Jadeja picks up New Zealand's fourth wicket!
Latham goes back after making 14 off 30.
Glen Phillips will come on to bat at six.
NZ 108/4 in 23.2 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:43 AM
Latham takes the review!
This time Jadeja has seemingly found the breakthrough off lbw. Latham misses the sweep, Jadeja appeals and the umpire lifts his finger straightaway. Latham reviews immediately.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:37 AM
NZ 104/3 in 22 overs.
Only two singles off Jadeja's over, NZ 104/3 in 22 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:37 AM
Shouts from Jadeja, but Latham is safe
Third ball of the 21st over as Jadeja seems to get Latham out on lbw. Huge appeal from Jadeja, Rohit Sharma takes the review!
However, the DRS shows the ball missing the wickets, Latham survives.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:28 AM
20 overs are up, NZ reach hundred
NZ have crossed the hundred-run mark.
India have been successful in these ten overs after the first ten, managing two wickets while giving only 32 runs.
NZ 101/3 in 20 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:24 AM
Appeal for a direct run-out, but Mitchell is safe
India lodged a huge appeal for a run-out following a direct throw in the fourth ball of the over!
Rohit hit the bull's eye with a direct throw but Mitchell has made it.
NZ 95/3 in 18 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:21 AM
NZ edging closer to hundred
NZ are 90/3 in 17 overs, edging closer to the 100-run mark.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:11 AM
NZ 83/3 in 15 overs.
Only two runs off Kuldeep's over, NZ stands on 83/3 in 15 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:07 AM
NZ 77/3 in 13 overs.
Indian spinners have pulled India back in the game after a fierce start from the Kiwi openers.
NZ managed only 26 runs, whereas India picked three wickets in the last six overs.
NZ 77/3 in 13 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 10:04 AM
Williamson gone!
Kuldeep comes in attack, and oh yes, gets another wicket!
Williamson misread the length and spooned the ball back. Kuldeep sprinted to the right to take an easy catch!
Tom Latham replaces Kane Williamson (11 off 14).
NZ 75/3 in 12.2 overs!
(Image Credit | CREIMAS)
Mar 9, 2025, 9:57 AM
NZ 73/2 in 11 overs.
Kuldeep had an impressive first over, taking an important wicket by dismissing Rachin after conceding only four runs.
NZ 73/2 in 11 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:55 AM
What a delivery! Kuldeep breaks Rachin's stumps!
Kuldeep Yadav comes in attack and benefits India in the best possible way in the very first ball!
What a brilliant googly from the Indian wrist-spinner, as the ball fooled Rachin and broke the stumps!
Huge wicket for Team India!
Daryll Mitchell replaces Rachin Ravindra. (37 off 29)
(Image Credit | AFP)
Mar 9, 2025, 9:52 AM
10 overs are up
NZ brings up 69/1 in the first powerplay.
Rachin Ravindra (37* off 28) and Kane Williamson (9* off 9) are on the crease.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:44 AM
NZ 58/1 in 8 overs.
NZ loses their first wicket in the eighth over.
Only three off Varun, along with an expensive wicket.
NZ 58/1 in 8 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:43 AM
Will Young dismissed!
This time Varun Chakravarthy hit the pad low with a legbreak delivery. Clear lbw as NZ loses their first.
Will Young returns after making 15 off 23.
Kane Williamson comes on to bat.
NZ 57/1 in 7.5 overs.
Varun Chakaravarthy traps Will Young LBW to hand India the opening breakthrough 👊
Rachin Ravindra gets another lifeline as Shreyas Iyer drops him in the deep in the second ball of the eighth over!
Ravindra swept the ball high into the air, and Shreyas covered ground well to reach it in the deep midwicket area. He dived with his arms outstretched but could not catch the ball.
(Image Credit | Getty Images)
Mar 9, 2025, 9:38 AM
NZ Review
Varun Chakravarthy comes in attack, and seemingly traps Rachin to get caught behind. KL looks confident but Rachin calls for an immediate review.
However, the third umpire calls to overturn the decision.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:36 AM
NZ brings up the fifty!
Will Young pulls it toward the mid-on, and it's a four in the last ball of a chaotic seventh over.
NZ 51/0 in 7 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:33 AM
Shami drops Rachin!
Shami had a chance to send Rachin back off his bowling, but he dropped the catch, similarly to how he dropped a catch in the semis.
Shami calls on the physio immediately and looks to have hurt his finger.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:31 AM
Appeal for lbw
Huge appeal from Indian players following a supposed lbw from Shami's second ball. Though it was not given as height is the issue.
However, no DRS is taken as well.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:29 AM
NZ 46/0 in 6 overs.
Nine comes in Varun's first over. NZ edges closer to fifty.
NZ 46/0 in 6 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:26 AM
Varun Chakravarthy replaces Hardik Pandya
Rohit Sharma wastes no time in bringing in India's trumpcard, Varun Chakravarthy!
Mar 9, 2025, 9:25 AM
NZ 37/0 in 5 overs.
11 comes from the 5th over delivered by Shami.
Rachin Ravindra batting on 25* off 14, accompanied by Wil Young, 10* off 14.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:24 AM
Two consecutive fours
Shami comes on to deliver the fifth over, as the first ball is a single, but two consecutive fours come off Rachin Ravindra's willow.
A sudden flurry of bounadries, NZ eyeing a big total.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:20 AM
NZ 26/0 in 4 overs.
New Zealand picks up the momentum in an expensive 4th over, picking 16 runs.
Two boundaries and one over boundary off Hardik's over.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:19 AM
Cracking one from Ravindra!
Hardik delivers a short length one, and Rachin sends it out of the ground over the extra cover.
The first six comes off NZ's innings.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:11 AM
NZ 6/0 in 2 overs.
Following the only boundary in Shami's first over, only two runs come off in the second over from Hardik.
NZ 6/0 in 2 overs.
Mar 9, 2025, 9:02 AM
First ball
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young open NZ innings!
On the other end, Mohammad Shami opens bowling for India.
Mar 9, 2025, 8:58 AM
Playing XI: New Zealand
Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson.
The premier domestic competition named after the first Indian cricketer, Ranjitsinhji, who was also known as 'Ranji', was launched in 1934-35 featuring 15 teams in four zones in a knockout format and has since expanded to a 32-team tournament in the league and knockout format.
The first-ever edition was won by Bombay now known as Mumbai, who have also won the Ranji title the most. Record champions Mumbai have won the Ranji Trophy 41 times so far. Mumbai has also reached the final 47 times.
Karnataka earlier played as Mysore is the second most successful team in the Ranji Trophy, having won the title 8 times and finished runners up 6 times followed by Delhi, who have won the title 7 times and finished as runners-up 8 times.
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has finally concluded with Vidarbha winning their third Ranji title defeating Kerala in the finals. Let's check out the last 10 winners of the Ranji title.
Harsh Dubey has already taken 66 wickets in 2024-25 season. Image | PTI
Ranji Trophy, the Premier Division Tournament in Indian domestic cricket has given future stars of Indian cricket over the years. Domestic players prove themselves in the Ranji Trophy as best in the country, before announcing themselves on the world stage.
Today, we will discuss the players who have taken the most wickets in a Ranji Trophy season to cement their place in the history of Indian domestic cricket. Ashutosh Aman of Bihar has the record for most wickets taken in a single Ranji season currently.
Most Wickets in a Ranji Trophy Season
10. Sai Kishore | 53 wickets
Image | PTI
Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner Sai Kishore took 53 wickets in a single season in 2023-24 and listed himself in the record books. He became the first Tamil Nadu bowler to take more than fifty wickets in a Ranji Season.
Sai Kishore took a total of 53 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 18.52 including 3 five-wicket hauls. Despite his heroics with the ball, Tamil Nadu fell short against Mumbai in the semi-finals that season.
Playing for Meghalaya, left-arm spinner Gurinder Singh took 53 wickets in just 8 matches to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker of the 2018/19 Ranji Trophy season. Gurinder created the record in the plate group of the tournament.
Gurinder's splendid season with the ball included 5 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul in a match as well. The spin-bowling all-rounder started his career with Tripura and played for Punjab, Meghalaya and Chandigarh as well.
8. Aditya Sarwate | 55 wickets
Image | PTI
Aditya Sarwate, the left-arm spinner from Vidarbha listed himself among the bowlers with the most wickets in a single season in 2018/19 when he picked up 55 wickets in 11 matches.
Sarwate at that time was the only Vidarbha bowler to pick up more than 50 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. He picked up 11 wickets in the 2018/19 Ranji Trophy final as Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra to become the sixth team in history to defend a Ranji Trophy title.
Another left-arm in the list, Sanjay Yadav took 55 wickets in the 2019/20 season playing for Meghalaya in the plate group. Though Meghalaya failed to reach the knock-out stage of the tournament, Sanjay made a name for himself with five 5-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in the season.
6. Shahbaz Nadeem | 56 wickets
Image | Sunny Shinde.
Shahbaz Nadeem is one of the renowned names in Indian domestic cricket's history with 542 first-class wickets to his name. Playing for his state Jharkhand, Nadeem picked up 56 wickets in 10 games in the 2016/17 season at an average of 25.60.
The left-arm spinner's incredible season with the ball included four 5-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls in a match. Despite his incredible season, Jharkhand could not reach the final as Jasprit Bumrah's 6-wicket haul helped Gujarat defeat them in the semis.
Nadeem himself also had taken a five-wicket haul in the semi-final.
Saurashtra's Dharmendrasinh Jadeja outshined everyone with a record-breaking 59 wickets in the 2018-19 Ranji trophy season. He then was the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra in a single season of Ranji Trophy, which was later broken by Jaydev Unadkat.
In 11 games that season Jadeja averaged 27.16 and took five 5-wicket hauls including one 10-wicket haul in a match. Despite Jadeja's six-wicket haul, Saurashtra lost the final at the hands of Vidarbha.
4. Kanwaljit Singh | 59 wickets
Hyderabad's off-spinner Kanwaljit Singh had set the record for most wickets in a Ranji Trophy season in 1999/00 season which lasted till 2018-19 when Ashutosh Aman of Bihar broke that record.
Kanwaljit took 59 wickets in 11 matches to set the record. He averaged 24.06 with the ball and had taken 4 five-wicket hauls alongside two 10-wicket hauls. The off-spinner retired after taking 369 first-class wickets and was one of the unluckiest off-spinners to not have played for India during his era.
3. Harsh Dubey | 66*
Image | PTI
Harsh Dubey, the Vidarbha all-rounder has already listed himself among the greats of Indian domestic cricket only in his third season. The left-arm spinner has already taken 66 wickets in the 2024-25 season and will have a chance to break the overall record in the ongoing final between Kerala and Vidarbha.
In 10 matches till now Dubey has taken 66 wickets at an average of 16.81. His 7 five-wicket haul in his season is also the joint-highest in Elite group history. Dubey also has taken two 10-wicket hauls this season.
2. Jaydev Unadkat | 67
Image | Jaydev Bhatnagar.
Jaydev Unadkat in the 2019-20 season broke multiple records as he led Saurasthra to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. The left-arm seamer became the first and still only pacer to take more than 60 wickets in a Ranji Trophy season.
Not only that in that record breaking season he became the bowler to take most wickets in a Ranji season in elite groups. Undakat took 67 wickets in 11 games at an average of 13.23. His 7 five-wicket hauls is still a record in elite group. He also took 3 ten-wicket hauls that season.
1. Ashutosh Aman | 68 wickets
Image | PTI
Bihar's Ashutosh Aman still holds the record for most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season, which he achieved in 2018/19 season.
The left-arm spinner took 68 wickets in just 8 plate group games at an incredible average of 6.48 runs per wicket. Aman took 9 five-wicket hauls that season, which is also a Ranji Trophy record. His five 10-wicket haul is also a record in Indian domestic cricket.
"There is nothing as sweet as comeback:" Sayan Ghosh wants to make Ranji Trophy return after white-ball success in 2024-25 season
Sayan Ghosh emerged as the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in both Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The Bengal pacer now looking for his Ranji Trophy return.
Chakdaha, a very tiny town in the Nadia district of West Bengal, is known to the cricketing world for a very special player. It is Jhulan Goswami, who made Chakdaha famous with fiery spells all around the globe, wearing the Blue jersey of India.
When Jhulan was breaking records in women's cricket, another speedster from Chakdaha dreamt of breaking stumps and records too. Sayan Ghosh, known as Bengal's Malinga, saw ups and downs from the start of his cricketing career. But, like his swinging yorkers, Sayan never swayed away from his targets.
Ghosh last played a Ranji Trophy game way back in 2017. In 6 first-class games, he has two five-wicket hauls. Still, he was never called back to the Ranji Trophy, team until this season. The reason is his incredible comeback into the white ball side for Bengal.
Sayan Ghosh's incredible season in white-ball format
Sayan Ghosh celebrating a wicket in SMAT pre-quarters vs Chandigarh. Image | PTI
Sayan was always called the "White Ball" specialist due to his ability to hit yorkers and variations. However, with bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and Akash Deep doing well, he found himself out of the side in the last few seasons. But, his will to keep doing well at the club level, helped him make another comeback to the Bengal side.
This season, Sayan Ghosh was the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in both Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, he returned with 13 wickets from 7 games at an outstanding economy rate of 6.77.
Bengal wins the thriller against Chandigarh and marches forward to the semi finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
Former KKR bowler Sayan Ghosh was the star of the show as he picked up 4 wickets and defended 11 runs of the final over that helped Bengal come out on top. pic.twitter.com/ZdOl4soLSt
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the stats were even better as he capped off the season with 15 wickets from 7 games which included a five-wicket haul against Kerala. Post, his outstanding white-ball return, Sayan was included in the Ranji Trophy squad for the final two games of the season.
After his remarkable resurgence in domestic cricket, Sportz Point sat with the 32-year-old pacer to sense his thoughts.
Talking about his return to the Bengal team, Sayan started the conversation by saying, "It is always a pleasure to represent Bengal. And there is nothing as sweet as a comeback when you are down and about to lose. Performing well for the team feels great."
Ex-KKR pacer Sayan Ghosh in action for @Mohun_Bagan
Sayan feels, along with doing well for Mohun Bagan in the club format, the Bengal Pro T20 League has helped him be in the best form possible.
"I must say, performance in BPL gave me confidence," Sayan told Sportz Point.
"I didn’t take too much pressure for the whole season because I knew if I did well, I would play. I had belief in myself. Captain Sudip (Gharami), coaches Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da and Maco (Shib Shankar Paul) da gave confidence. So, I didn’t take a lot of pressure."
Sayan Ghosh during a club match for Mohun Bagan. Image | Sportz Point
A few seasons back, Sayan had a longer run-up which caused him a few injuries. But, post the 2022 season, he shortened his run-up to avoid such injuries which helped him gain more control. Keeping this in mind, Sportz Point wanted to know if he had done anything special to prepare for this grand comeback.
However, as per Sayan, he just kept doing the basic things over and over to get better at everything. "I do lots of fitness work and spot bowling. It helps me a lot," Sayan added while answering the question.
Regardless of how, for a sportsperson, a comeback is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical battle. Back in 2022, in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, Sayan shared that "rejections do not deject him."
But, saying that and actually having that mental strength are two different things altogether. For Sayan, it was all about being present and believing in God.
"There comes a time in every sportsman's life when they stop worrying about the outcome, trust in God, and fully immerse themselves in the process. So, that was my thinking just to be in the present and wait for my turn," Sayan expressed.
During tough periods like these, players always get some people clapping and cheering for them. For Sayan, along with his family, there were a few people, who guided and supported him throughout the process.
"Maco da (Shib Shankar Paul) and Kanchan (Maity) da gave me chances in BPL And Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da helped me and gave me a chance to come back in Bengal Cricket."
"I must say about Akash da, one of my colleagues in my office, who is a very good bowler himself. He supported me in every aspect of my life. I think without his support, I could not have made the come back like that," Sayan stated.
Age? Not a problem
Sayan Ghosh before a club match for Mohun Bagan. Image | Sportz Point
But, in this process of being in and out of the team, Sayan has reached an age where most cricketers start to reach the end of their careers. But, not all.
Cricketers like Scott Boland have proved that, if you can keep putting in the hard work, even as a fast bowler you can debut and play at the highest level even after 30. Sayan believes that too.
"Hope keeps us alive. I don’t think a lot about the outcome. But, when you have a goal to achieve something big in your professional career, you always stay motivated," the 32-year-old shared.
"There is nothing as sweet as a comeback, when you are down and about to lose. If you are thinking about a comeback, you have to keep pushing the boundaries. I have small targets to do well in club cricket and give Mohunbagan trophies. I want to make a strong impact in Bengal Cricket in every format."
Sayan Ghosh bowling in a club match. Image | Sportz Point
Now, after a great white-ball return, Sayan Ghosh wants to don the whites for Bengal again. Amidst all the success around white-ball cricket, his love for red-ball cricket remained the same; like a 10-year-old with a new ball in hand.
"We are playing well in all formats, especially in the Ranji trophy. It was unfortunate for us not to qualify despite playing well in the group stages. The Bihar match and the Kerala match were gone because of the rain and that was the reason (we could not qualify).
"The last time I played a Ranji Trophy game was in 2017. I have played 6 matches and got two five-wicket hauls. However, because of certain team combinations, I haven't played red-ball cricket in a long time now.
"My belief is always there to make a strong comeback in red ball cricket."
PBKS bought Shreyas Iyer from the mega auction of IPL 2025 by spending a huge amount and then handed over the command of the team to him. Now the fans of Punjab will expect from their new captain that he will help the team in ending the title drought.
PBKS bought Shreyas Iyer, who had made Kolkata Knight Riders the champion last season, from the mega auction of IPL 2025 by spending a huge amount and then handed over the command of the team to him.