Testing times for Mumbai skipper Tare

The Mumbai Ranji team that will play Madhya Pradesh tomorrow in Indore will be led by wicket-keeper Aditya Tare, who is happy that the new panel has put faith in him. He thinks that it is a great opportunity for him to reach his goal, which is to play for the Indian Test team. The right-handed batsman who has not yet appeared for the Indian team is determined to catch the eyes of the selectors this season.

In the 2016-17 Ranji Trohpy edition, Tare scored 623 runs at an average of 38.93 but he is not setting a goal for the coming season. He says. “I am not setting any goal or anything for runs but I will make sure that my performance remains outstanding whenever the team needs me and I make it to the Test team.”

Tare has been leading the Mumbai team since a couple of years in the absence of senior players Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. He holds the record of most dismissals by a wicket-keeper (48), which was created in Indore itself. Tare believes Indore has been a good venue for the team and himself, obviously, because of the record. “In the last couple of seasons, the team did really well in Indore and we are confident that we will have a positive result this time as well,” says the Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper.

First-class cricket has returned after a long break. However in Mumbai, there does exist the Kanga league where Tare tried his hand in a couple of games to get back in touch with professional cricket. The league gives the players the roughest experience in cricket with damp pitches and windy conditions.

“I played a couple of games in the league to get back in the groove. The weather has been troublesome to practice. Our (Mumbai) team also played some tournaments in Nagpur and Mysore,” says the 29-year old.

The season opener will be a tough one for Mumbai as the team will miss the services of players other than Rohit and Rahane. Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw will be representing India A and Board President’s XI, who will play New Zealand A and New Zealand XI.

Tare points out that this is the time for the younger players to step up and deliver. “It could a blessing in disguise for us. They can be tested now,” says the skipper, who will guide the younger players along with Siddesh Lad and Surya Kumar Yadav.

The team is out to avenge last year’s loss in the final against Gujarat and bring the trophy back to Mumbai. It could be trophy number 42 for them. Tare named Prithvi Shaw and Jay Bista as the players to watch out for this season.

Not having much to do in the 2017 edition of the Indian Premier League, Tare will be looking forward on delivering this season to make it to the Indian Test team.