Madhya Pradesh upset former champions, Mumbai in the finals of Ranji Trophy 2022. It was their maiden title win. The title-winning side put up a complete team performance. We have had plenty of breakthrough stars this season. They were a few familiar names too who had a great season. It is not easy getting selected for the Indian team. Indian cricket is brimming with talent. It would need players to break open the selection door to make it to the Indian team. Here we can have a look at 5 Domestic Players Who Merit National Selection
We Look At The Top 5 Domestic Players Who Merit A Selection To The National Team:
#5 Shahbaz Ahmed
There’s so much more to Shahbaz Ahmed than just being an RCB player. He had shown this season how his power game has improved so drastically. Ahmed is someone who is a proven performer in the domestic circuit. He had a fine Ranji Trophy season (2021-22). Ahmed is someone who makes vital contributions with both bat and the ball. He has scored 1041 runs in 18 games at an average of 41.6. Ahmed has picked up 55 wickets at a fantastic average of 19.5. He is someone who could be a fantastic prospect lower down the order.
#4 Shams Mulani
He is one of those rare players who like to maintain a low profile. It is not often that one gets to hear about Shams Mulani despite him playing for Mumbai. But his prowess as a cricketer is there for everyone to see. His domestic numbers stack up pretty similar to Shahbaz. Mulani is a handy left-arm chinaman who delivers with the bat too. He has picked up 73 wickets and scored 877 runs in 16 games so far. The left-arm chinaman allrounder option is a rare commodity in Indian cricket.
#3 Prithvi Shaw
He might not have had the greatest of Ranji Trophy seasons this year. But Prithvi Shaw in his short career so far has already shown what he is capable of. Shaw aged 22 has played 34 games already. Few can boast of a better strike rate (81.6) than him in domestic cricket. His average of 46.9 is highly impressive too.
Shaw is someone who can make the bowlers pay early in the innings. In an age where surviving the new ball itself is no easy task, Shaw’s gameplay could prove to be a game-changer for the Indian team.
#2 Rajat Patidar
If there is one batsman who has had it all in the past couple of seasons, it must be Rajat Patidar. He was not part of RCB’s initial squad. Patidar walked in as an injury replacement in the latter half of the tournament. He made an immediate impact with his clean ball-striking. Patidar’s century in the first qualifier was batting of the highest order. He continued his great form in the Ranji Trophy too.
Patidar notched up 658 runs in 6 games this season comprising two centuries and five fifties. His best knock came in the finals where he helped his side lift the title for the first time. In a team that is constantly on the lookout for a solid top-order player, Patidar’s flamboyance will be a big bonus.
#1 Sarfaraz Khan
He has arguably been the best domestic batsman in the pandemic era. Sarfaraz Khan is miles ahead of his domestic contemporaries. He had yet another season where he smashed more than 900 runs (982). There was little doubt about his talent but it’s his temperament that has stood out greatly in the last few seasons. It has to be a dream season for someone if they average 122.75 and strike at 69.54. Khan’s season has been one such. He is closest to knocking the door down for national selection.
