Maharashtra’s Mundhe lifts Nagaland to Ranji knockouts

Pune: Shrikant Mundhe, who played as a pace bowling all-rounder for Maharashtra spanning 12 seasons, has taken

Nagaland

to the Ranji Trophy knockouts with his batting skills. The 33-year-old from Parbhani, who was a part of the Maharashtra team that reached Ranji finals and semis in 2013-24 and 2014-15 seasons, tallied 453 runs in five innings for Nagaland, including a maiden first-class double hundred, in the plate division this season.Nagaland edged out Manipur to reach the pre-quarterfinals for the first time. They will play Jharkhand in Kolkata from Saturday for the last-eight berth.“I started out as a batsman only. But I played largely as a bowler who could bat a bit for Maharashtra. But I always saw myself as a batsman first,” said

Mundhe

, who had a one-year contract with Pune Warriors and KKR in the IPL and took NOC from MCA in 2019. “I was never promoted in the batting order by Maharashtra, not even as a nightwatchman.”Mundhe said he was aware about what to expect of him as a professional cricketer having played club cricket in the UK for many years now. “I bat at No. 3 there too and open the bowling,” he said. He feels rubbing shoulders with international stars in the IPL and being involved in tight finishes has helped uncapped Indian players immensely. “The aura surrounding international cricket and international cricketers has diminished now. And very few non-international players suffer from inferiority complex or lack of confidence which is also a vital ingredient for success besides skill and technique.” The Nagaland team is based in Dimapur. “We have basic facilities there,” said Mundhe. “Many players haven’t got the required exposure. It is going to be a big experience for the boys to play Jharkhand. But we are ready to fight under the leadership of Rongsen Jonathan (who had played for Railways and Karnataka).”Mundhe came to Pune and played for Deodhar Trust, Deccan and Poona Club in the invitation league. The format of having district teams was introduced later hence he couldn’t play for Parbhani.Mundhe was groomed by former Maharashtra player

Sham Oak

after he moved base to Pune, where he lives on Prabhat road.“Besides Oak sir, even Hrishikesh Kanitkar (former Maharahstra captain) has given me valubable advice time to time for improving my game and outlook,” said Mundhe.Kanitkar too played as an outstation professional for Rajasthan and led them to two successive Ranji titles. If Mundhe were to achieve even half of that, his Nagaland move would be termed a success.