Harsh Dubey was expected to be the biggest threat to Kerala on day three of the Ranji Trophy final. After all, the wicket was getting increasingly spinner-friendly.
Not that he needs much assistance. Harsh came into this match with 66 wickets, 22 more than anybody else this season. Three more scalps would have seen him break the record held by Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman for the highest number of dismissals in a season.
He ended up breaching the mark, but more importantly, he put Vidarbha in an excellent position to win its third Ranji Trophy.
Harsh provided the breakthrough by sending back Aditya Sarwate, who had looked at ease on the second day after being promoted to No. 3 for the first time in his career. The veteran all-rounder’s resistance ended when he was caught close in.
READ: Ranji Trophy final: Error in judgement from Sachin Baby sees Kerala concede first innings lead to Vidarbha
Harsh also removed Kerala’s leading batter of the season, Salman Nizar, trapping him in front with a delivery that spun menacingly. By getting MD Nidheesh lbw, Harsh clinched the aforementioned record.
“I wasn’t actually thinking of the record, I just wanted to help my team get the first-innings lead,” the 22-year-old said. “Obviously, the record is an achievement for me. And I met my parents after the day’s play and everyone is happy.”
He bowled 44 overs in the innings. “It wasn’t easy, as it was hot out there, but I just focussed on helping my team get a good position,” he said. “The odd ball is turning, but as Sachin Baby showed if you bat well, you can get runs on this track. He played really well, until he probably had that brain fade moment.”
Harsh can also bat. He has scored 472 runs this season at 60.82. We should be hearing more of him.