Ranji Trophy 2026: Tushar Deshpande Calls Hat-Trick In 50th First-Class Match Special, Says Mumbai's Job Only Half Done

Mumbai's Tushar Deshpande delivered a remarkable performance in his 50th first-class match, claiming a hat-trick and taking 5 wickets for 17 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. The pacer maintained that the milestone was not driven by the desire for a hat-trick, stating he was focused on giving his all and bowling accurately. Deshpande's success was attributed to exploiting the patches on the wicket that offered seam movement and extra bounce.

Despite his outstanding effort, Deshpande emphasized that Mumbai's task was far from complete, as they had enforced the follow-on but needed to maintain intensity to finish the match soon. The pacer acknowledged the physical challenges of playing in Mumbai's heat and humidity, expressing his commitment to working harder to enhance his all-round skills.

Deshpande's work with coaches Eric Simons and Shane Bond played a crucial role in refining his bowling technique. He advised batters to focus on bowling their best ball at the top of off stump and occasionally incorporating a bouncer, which proved effective in both red-ball and white-ball cricket.