The final time Rajasthan gained a senior males’s title was again in 2012. A second Ranji Trophy title in a row – their solely wins within the match historical past. Lifting the trophy on each events was Ashok Menaria. There weren’t many larger names than the Udaipur-born southpaw again then within the Indian home circuit. Menaria wasn’t simply Rajasthan’s skipper however had additionally led the Indian U-19 workforce on the junior World Cup in 2010.
On Saturday after Rajasthan fell in need of profitable their first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy, the defeat should’ve tasted even bitter. It was their favorite son Menaria who had led Haryana to their maiden 50-overs title.
Much more scarring than his knock of 70 have been his phrases although. Put up-final, when requested what made him go away Rajasthan for Haryana forward of the home season this yr, Menaria conceded, “Final yr, I picked up a hamstring damage. I feel they (Rajasthan Cricket) ought to’ve taken higher care of me. Par mujhe bola gya ki tu jabardasti injured ho raha hai (However I used to be advised that I used to be appearing injured). I’d misplaced belief in myself and was feeling low, however Haryana Cricket backed me and invited me to play for them.”
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Say hiya 👋 to the winners of the #VijayHazareTrophy 👉 Haryana 🙌🙌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final pic.twitter.com/N20IS3quTC
— BCCI Home (@BCCIdomestic) December 16, 2023
Menaria was among the many two large names to have left Rajasthan this summer season – Ravi Bishnoi additionally moved to Gujarat – and it was a departure that proved decisive within the summit conflict on Saturday. Coming in to bat with Haryana two down for 41, Menaria stitched collectively the most important partnership of the ultimate – 124 – with Ankit Kumar (88 off 91) on a troublesome batting floor earlier than the decrease order added ending touches to propel Haryana to 287. The brand new skipper, a home cricket veteran, had large reward for his enjoying XI.
“I feel in India our workforce is perhaps the one one which bats until quantity 11 and we have now 6-7 bowling choices,” Menaria boasted. “Our technique has been to sew partnerships within the center overs after which hand it over to Tewatia and Sumit, who did the job immediately as nicely.”
are WINNERS of the #VijayHazareTrophy 2023-24! 🙌
Congratulations to the Ashok Menaria-led unit on profitable the #VijayHazareTrophy 🏆 👏@IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/0ub38RC4x8 pic.twitter.com/2wQri6HS0Y
— BCCI Home (@BCCIdomestic) December 16, 2023
The captain’s seal of approval was earned by Haryana’s bowlers as nicely. There was a second within the recreation when it regarded like Rajasthan would run away with it. After three wickets fell with a meager 12 runs on the board, Abhijeet Tomar (106) and Kunal Singh Rathore (79) carried their aspect to 201. It was then that Menaria’s former U19 World Cup teammate Harshal Patel eliminated the 2 set batters and orchestrated a historic triumph for Haryana. In line with the skipper although, there was no sweating throughout the group all through the tense moments.
“We’ve performed quite a lot of video games underneath strain, so even with difficult situations, we have been used to getting throughout it,” Menaria mentioned earlier than delivering one other delicate jibe at his former workforce. “Rajasthan, I personally felt, have been largely depending on a number of batters. I do know all of their gamers nicely and it got here in useful.” If lacking out on a primary home trophy since 2012 didn’t damage already, the phrases of the then skipper certainly would’ve.