Ranji in the times of IPL

The tournament’s disconnect with cricket fans has never been more apparent than in the last three when the IPL — marketed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as an international sports league — has brought with it packed stadiums and hotel lobbies brimming with fans waiting to get a glimpse of their favourite stars ...

The new season of the tournament, which is now 76 years old, started yesterday. Newspapers gave it full-page coverage, opting for the retro chic because nothing of more importance was going on. There was even a match on TV. Things were looking good for Ranji cricket after a long time, but only from a distance. At the Bandra-Kurla ground, where 39-time champions Mumbai started their campaign against Saurashtra, there was neither a sense of history nor a single fan.

Reminded of his 57-year-old feat, Ranjane could not stop talking in excitement. A former fitter with the Indian Railways, the 73-year-old did not know the importance of a Ranji Trophy game.

“What’s his name and where is he from?” he asked about the Rajasthan debutant. “I remember that I had a record. But I wasn’t educated enough to know about Ranji Trophy or Test cricket.

Khaali bhagwaan ka naam leke bowling daalta (The only thing I knew was to bowl by taking god’s name),” he told DNA. Incidentally, Chahar was also on a hat-trick but could not complete it. “I was not well on the first day of the match. I did not tell anyone.