On Thursday, Kushagra remained unbeaten on 133 off 166 balls, guiding Jharkhand to 356 for 9 on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. (Express Photo)
Kumar Kushagra made an emphatic comeback to competitive cricket, scoring an unbeaten century in his first appearance for Jharkhand after a six-week layoff due to a back injury sustained during the Duleep Trophy. The 20-year-old felt pain in his lower back in Anantapur, which forced him to miss the Emerging Asia Cup and four Ranji Trophy matches.
On Thursday, Kushagra remained unbeaten on 133 off 166 balls, guiding Jharkhand to 356 for 9 on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. With only 69 overs bowled on the second day and a total of 55 overs lost over two days, the match is likely to end in a draw, making the first-innings lead crucial.
With national selector S Sharath and a Gujarat Titans scout watching from the stands, Kushagra batted with intent. He reached his fifty in 83 balls and his century in just 39 more.
“During the second Duleep Trophy game, I felt some stiffness in my back, which subsequently worsened. Due to this, I missed the India A tour to Oman. I was eager to return to competitive cricket and was determined to give my best whenever the opportunity arose,” the youngster told reporters after the day’s play.
Kushagra’s knock was studded with 15 fours and five sixes. He cut, drove and played ramp shots with precision, displaying an aggressive approach against spinners. He scored at a strike rate of 80.12 on a pitch where other Jharkhand batters struggled to up the ante. Overnight batsmen Sharandeep Singh (66 off 219 balls) and Virat Singh (56 off 125 balls) managed only 11 runs in the first 10 overs of the day before Kushagra walked in and changed the complexion of Jharkhand’s innings with calculated risks. “One thing in my mind was that the team’s score should keep increasing. I felt that I had to take the initiative and score,” he said.
The wicketkeeper-batter burst onto the scene after being picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 7.20 crore in the IPL auction last year, outbidding Gujarat Titans. He played four matches for the franchise, scoring only three runs in as many innings. However, he has been fast-tracked into the India A squad.
Kushagra is one of many talented Indian wicketkeeper-batters. Soon, he may compete with Dhruv Jurel, his Jharkhand teammate Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma for a place in the national team. In the current Jharkhand squad, apart from Kishan, he is also vying with another talented gloveman Robin Minz.
“I don’t see it as competition; I focus on my own performance. My primary goal is to contribute to the team’s success, regardless of the format. I don’t dwell on what others are doing. If I perform well, it will be beneficial,” he said.
Kushagra’s cricketing journey began at his home in Jamshedpur under the guidance of his father, who works in the Income Tax department. His father instilled in him the fundamentals of cricket by referring to the book Art and Science of Cricket by the late Bob Woolmer.
“My father’s guidance has helped me develop strong fundamentals, which I can build upon. However, there’s more to cricket than just technique. Mental strength, character, and the ability to perform under pressure are equally important. These qualities are honed through experience at higher levels, such as India A and Duleep Trophy,” he said.
Brief Scores
Jharkhand 1st Innings 356 for 9 in 125 overs (Kumar Kushagra 133 not out, Sharandeep Singh 64) vs Delhi
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