Jadeja's Aggressive Mantra Inspires Bhut to Dominate Punjab in Ranji Trophy Clash
In a remarkable display of spin bowling, Saurashtra's left-arm spinner Parth Bhut delivered a match-winning performance against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, attributing his success to the mentorship of Indian cricket star Ravindra Jadeja. The guidance from Jadeja, encapsulated in his persistent reminders to "Pressure daalte raho, chhodna mat, dominate karte raho" (Keep applying pressure, don't let go, keep dominating), proved pivotal as Bhut claimed a 10-wicket haul to secure a 194-run victory for Saurashtra within just two days.
Punjab's Batting Collapse Under Saurashtra's Spin Onslaught
Punjab faced a daunting challenge on a testing surface, set a target of 320 runs in their second innings. However, they had no answers to Saurashtra's relentless spin attack, collapsing to 125 all out. The visitors' hopes largely rested on Shubman Gill, but he struggled significantly, managing only 14 runs off 32 balls in the second innings after being dismissed for a two-ball duck in the first. Gill's woes were compounded as he fell leg-before to Bhut in both innings, highlighting the spinner's dominance.
Bhut's Stellar Bowling Figures and Jadeja's Tactical Influence
Bhut's performance was nothing short of spectacular, with figures of 5 for 33 in the first innings followed by an even more incisive spell of 5 for 8 from 10 overs in the second. In an exclusive interview, Bhut revealed that Jadeja's pre-match address in the dressing room emphasized an attacking approach, urging the team to "Attack karna hai" (We have to attack). This advice was specifically applied when Gill came to bat, with Jadeja instructing Bhut to be aggressive and maintain pressure, a strategy that paid off handsomely.
Bhut elaborated on Jadeja's mentorship: "Jaddu bhai is a legend of the game. He always shares his experience, discussing match situations and guiding us on how to keep a batter under pressure and how to get him out. During practice, he advises on the types of balls to bowl on such wickets, field placements, and dismissal plans. Putting Gill under pressure worked for us."
From Fan to Teammate: Bhut's Journey with His Idol
Hailing from Junagadh, the 27-year-old Bhut grew up idolizing Jadeja, often traveling to Jamnagar to watch him play or train. Their relationship blossomed when Jadeja noticed the young boy regularly attending his sessions and decided to interact with him. Bhut recalls, "One fine day, I managed to speak to him. When he learned I played junior cricket, I got the chance to bowl at the senior team—that's how it all began."
Jadeja's influence extends beyond the field, with Bhut emphasizing his hero's work ethic: "He always says, 'Keep working hard. There is no substitute for hard work.' Even at this age, he works extremely hard in the nets. Youngsters get tired, but he doesn't." Bhut, who has featured in 22 first-class matches with 76 wickets and 571 runs, expressed immense pride in contributing to Saurashtra's victory, noting that this win will bolster their campaign in the later stages of the tournament.
Team Victory Over Personal Accolades
Despite earning the Player of the Match award, Bhut's primary joy stemmed from helping Saurashtra defeat a strong Punjab side so decisively. Reflecting on the team's success, he said, "More than the Player of the Match award, I am really happy that I could contribute to the team's win. This victory will help us in the later stages of the tournament." Bhut's journey with Saurashtra began when the team clinched their first Ranji Trophy title in 2019–20, and his recent performance underscores his growth as a key player.
In conclusion, Bhut's admiration for Jadeja remains unwavering: "He is my idol. I took up cricket because of him. I couldn't have asked for more than sharing the field with a legend like him." This mentorship story highlights how experienced players like Jadeja are shaping the next generation of cricketers in India's domestic circuit.
