Kamal Ghorui
NAVI MUMBAI: Since he landed in Mumbai with the USA team to play in his maiden T20 World Cup, former Mumbai allrounder Shubham Ranjane has been reliving old memories, naturally experiencing “goosebumps” for the last few days.Ranjane is relishing the prospect of playing again at the Wankhede Stadium and catching up with India’s T20 captain and his former Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav, whom he refers to as his “best buddy, more like an elder brother.”
The USA take on tournament co-hosts India at the venue on Saturday night.“Surya is my best buddy. He’s more like a brother. We’ve spent a lot of time off the cricket field, too. We have many memories of us hanging out together. We used to go for drives and have some fun. So, it’s not just about cricket; he’s been like an elder brother to me. He is such an inspiration when you look up to him,” Ranjane told TOI on Tuesday.Ranjane moved to the United States in 2022. The 31-year-old is a hitter who can also bowl reliable medium pace. His grandfather, Vasant Ranjane, played seven Tests for India between 1958 and 1964, while his father, Subhash Ranjane, was a former Maharashtra fast bowler who played for India A. Ranjane played 15 first-class matches, scoring 595 runs and taking 12 wickets, including a five-wicket haul. “Coming back to Mumbai always gives me the feeling of coming home, of nostalgia. I have played cricket all my life here, including maiden cricket. So, I am getting goosebumps right now,” Ranjane added. On Monday, Ranjane scored 28 off 17 balls and took 1-12 in two overs against India A in a warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium.“I will get even more goosebumps when we play at the Wankhede Stadium. There are a lot of memories I have of the Wankhede Stadium, and this time we will be playing on a bigger stage,” Ranjane said.Among those Wankhede memories, one moment has stuck with Ranjane. “There was a Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Bengal in 2018. It was a must-win match for us to qualify for the knockouts. We needed four off the last ball, and I reverse scooped the ball and we won the match. I had taken three wickets also in that match. It’s the best memory that I have of Wankhede,’ he recalled. “I have good memories of playing at the Wankhede in the Mumbai Premier League (MPL, now called T20 Mumbai) too.”Playing for the Andheri Arcs, I took the wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane and in the same game, I scored 65. I was named as the Player of the Match. It’s was the inaugural match of the MPL. “When he turns out on Saturday against India at the Wankhede, cheering in the crowd will be his entire family. “My parents and my in-laws will be there. My wife is there with me too.”Playing against India for USA will be a “different feeling” altogether for Ranjane. “Playing for the USA is surely a prestigious thing, its a proud feeling. Its the biggest country (in the world). Playing on yourt ‘home ground’ where you have spent 10 years (of his life), in different colours. It will be a different feeling. Playing aplatform and delivering your best,” Ranjane added.He is also looking forward to playing again against his former ‘Under-19 friend and rival’ Jasprit Bumrah. “Jasprit and I were from the same Under-19 batch. We played against each other at the Under-19 level-he for Gujarat and I for Maharashtra. He, Axar Patel and I used to be together in National Cricket Academy camps. I have played with Bumrah and Axar for West Zone in inter-zonal tournaments as well. It will be exciting to play against them on Saturday, “ Ranjane beamed.“Our team is well structured. All the players have been playing franchise cricket globally, so they jave the confidence. Its a matter of time. On a give day, just have to be the best version of yourself.”
