Mumbai fall back on Bhavin Thakkar for stability at top

Experienced top-order batsman Bhavin Thakkar was in for a pleasant surprise when he received a call from Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday afternoon telling him about his selection for the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Madhya Pradesh in Cuttack from February 13-17.

With Mumbai struggling with their start right through the Ranji season, Mumbai chief selector Milind Rege felt the side needed a "stable opening partnership" and hence went for Thakkar, who has been among runs in local cricket.

Thakkar, right-handed batsman, last played a first-class match for Jharkhand in December 2013. Thereafter, he served a one-year cooling period to play again for Mumbai, thereby becoming eligible for this 2015-16 season.

"We were still not able to find a settled opening partnership this season," Rege said on going back to 34-year-old Thakkar, who has played 41 first-class matches since his debut in 2001-02. "After Shrideep Mangela failed as an opener in the first few games, we gave opportunity to Jay Bista. But in eight innings, he failed seven times. Bista was not able to adjust to Ranji Trophy cricket."

Rege added: "Having come to the semifinal, we decided to go for an experienced opener to bat with in-form Akhil Herwadkar rather than give a youngster a debut. Moreover, Thakkar has been scoring runs in Kanga League and Times Shield."

Mumbai have had only two fifty-plus opening partnerships – 55 between Aditya Tare and Herwadkar against Uttar Pradesh and 74 between Bista and Herwadkar against Gujarat – in 15 innings this Ranji season.
Incidentally, Thakkar's last first-class game was against Mumbai. He said he was not surprised by the recall.

"I have been getting runs in every tournament including scoring two centuries on wet wickets for New Hind CC in Kanga League. I was expecting to play for Mumbai at some point. In fact, till I play cricket, I always believe I can play for Mumbai," Thakkar told dna.

Thakkar, who represents BPCL, has been part of two triumphant Mumbai Ranji squads – 2002-03 and 2003-04. "I will be glad to contribute to the team. I am hoping for the best in the semifinals. I have been in touch with the game even though it has been two years since I last played a first-class match," said Thakkar, who has five first-class centuries.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai bowling department suffered a big blow with medium-pacer Dhawal Kulkarni ruled out due to hamstring injury during the quarterfinal in Mysuru last week. He is being replaced by Sagar Trivedi. Tare returns to lead the side after missing the quarterfinal due to a fractured finger.

Rege said: "The team is in good nick. It's batting well, bowling well. We have a very balanced side except for the start throughout the series."

Mumbai squad for SF: A Tare (C), A Nayar, A Herwadkar S Iyer, S Yadav, S Lad, N Patil (Jr), S Shaikh, V Dabholkar, I Abdullah, S Thakur, B Sandhu (Jr), B Alam, B Thakkar, S Trivedi

Mumbai opening stands this Ranji season
6 vs Andhra, 25 vs Punjab, 26 & 0 vs Tamil Nadu, 22 & 3 vs Baroda, 55 vs Uttar Pradesh, 3 & 19 vs Railways, 39 & 1 vs Madhya Pradesh, 74 & 47 vs Gujarat, 21 & 25 vs Jharkhand