Ranji Trophy: Gohil throws Railways off track

MYSURU: Tape ball cricket in Pakistan has been a major platform to unearth raw talent. Gifted players are spotted and thrown into mainstream cricket without much experience and a few of them have gone on to become some of the greatest names in international cricket. The story of left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil, to some extent, draws parallel.

The 21-year-old has largely been art of Mumbai's maidan cricket and has not been tested at a higher level. But what stands out is his eye-catching action and some good performances. So, even without going through the customary process of performing at the U-19 and U-22 levels, the selectors included him in Mumbai's squad this season.

Despite the presence of another left-arm spinner, Vishal Dabholkar, who as dished out some match-winning performances for Mumbai in the past, Gohil was picked ahead of him.

The Mumbai think-tank rewarded Gohil with another Ranji Trophy outing after he bowled consistently in the first three matches where wickets did not aid spinners. And he justified the faith shown in him by picking up his maiden five-wicket haul on the third day of Mumbai's Group A Ranji Trophy encounter at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground (SNRWD), here, on Monday.

Gohil's effort helped Mumbai not only restrict Railways to a first innings total of 160, but also enforce a follow-on and take a valuable first innings lead of 185. When Day Three ended, Railways were battling to save the match at 135 for 4 in 65 overs.

Gohil first made an impression at this very venue when he played for Mumbai in a pre-season KSCA-organised Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah memorial tournament in July. He returned with a five-wicket haul against Gujarat then. The selectors were so impressed with his action and his consistency that they decide to draft him into the senior squad.

Having begun as a nine-year-old at the Middle Income Group (MIG) club, Gohil was a regular feature in Mumbai's club cricket. As a tennis ball cricketer he was never afraid of being hit around the park. Perhaps that quality has held him in good stead.

Against Railways, all his dismissals were that of a typical left-armer. He tossed the ball, induced batsmen forward and made them look very ordinary. On Monday, he castled Arindam Ghosh with a beautifully flighted delivery. Then he trapped Faiz Ahmed plumb in front of the wicket. To complete his first five-wicket haul, he had Railways skipper Karn Sharma caught by Siddhesh Lad.

He came across as a brave-hearted bowler, but off the field, he is soft-spoken. “All matches are the same. As a cricketer you try to perform with the same intensity whether it is a club match or a Ranji Trophy match. To be honest, when I am on the field all that matters is line and length,” he said of his performance on the day.

Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit also spoke highly of Gohil. “One thing that immediately impresses me about him is his consistency,” he said.

It is early days yet and Gohil has not really been tested against a quality opposition. Pandit agrees. “True he has not been really hit around the park. Even I want to see how he reacts once that happens.”