Ranji Trophy: More than a year ago a young Indian spinner from Junagadh, Gujarat, got a chance to participate in Australian practice season. Australia was on a tour to India for a Test series. Now the 22-year-old bowler showing his true colors in the Ranji Trophy.
From a net bowler to main man
Mahesh Pithiya, who was a net bowler for the Australian-side in 2023, becomes leading wicket take for Baroda. Baroda, gets off to a flying start in the Ranji Trophy, on top of the ‘Elite A’ points table group. They batted first in all three matches they played so far and won by knocking out their rivals all ten wickets in second innings. Needless to Mahesh Pithiya is playing a big role behind Baroda’s three consecutive Ranji-match win.
‘My idol is Ravichandran Ashwin’
Junagadh famously known for history, castle and culture, now got cricket fans attention for Mahesh. The right-hand spinner so far took twenty wickets in three matches. Mahesh idolized Ravichandran Ashwin and he wants to bowl like him. Even during those days when Mahesh was bowling against the Australians in their net session, he came to news as the “carbon copy of Ashwin”.
Mahesh Pithiya grew up being called “Ashwin” owing to his uncanny impersonation of his idol @ashwinravi99 & he ended up ‘playing’ Ashwin for Australia in their first training session on tour & making a big impression on Steve Smith. Here’s how #IndvAus https://t.co/GnAd63DFN6 pic.twitter.com/BgNwOWGDC6
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 3, 2023
“I got blessings from my idol. I have always wanted to bowl like him. When I am met him as he was entering the nets, I touched his feet and sought his blessings. He hugged me and then asked what exactly am I bowling to the Australians”, said in an interview in 2023. “Virat Kohli also smiled at me and gestured thumbs up and wished me luck”
He also said after a net session, “I had got Smith out at least six times in the nets on first day.”