Sachin Tendulkar's Bradmanesque achievements in Ranji Trophy

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Sachin Tendulkar has been a connoisseur's delight as well as that of the statisticians for over 24 seasons that he has played first class cricket. While his mind-boggling international feats have been well-chronicled, what many don't know about are his staggering performances for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.

He will be eager to turn up for the domestic giants again in the final against Saurashtra at his beloved Wankhede Stadium, from January 26 to 30 and attempt to help the Ajit Agarkar-led side to win an unprecedented 40th crown at home.

Tendulkar has had a great time at the Wankhede in Ranji finals with scores of 47, 96 (vs Haryana 1991), 140 and 139 (vs Punjab as captain in 1995), 53 and 128 (vs Hyderabad in 2000) and 105 and 43 (vs Bengal in 2007).

Tendulkar has played in five Ranji Trophy finals so far and he has been a part of the winning team four times. The last time he featured in a winning cause in the final was against Uttar Pradesh at Hyderabad in 2008-09. In fact, the only Ranji defeat he has been a part of is Mumbai's two-run loss in probably the greatest Ranji final against Haryana in 1991.

Having started off his Ranji Trophy career in December 1988 against Gujarat at the Wankhede with a ton, the 2012-2013 final will be Tendulkar's 36th appearance for Mumbai and probably his last in the Ranji Trophy. Wouldn't it be great if his Mumbai teammates can give him a gift like what the Indian team did when they lifted the World Cup on this very ground on April 2, 2011 to fulfil his ambition of a lifetime?

In the 35 Ranji Trophy matches that Tendulkar has played for Mumbai, he has registered 18 tons. Of course, Tendulkar's international commitments have limited the number of seasons he has played for Mumbai to just 13. But what is unique is the fact that he has scored a ton in each season that he has featured in.

Thanks to his retirement from the ODI arena, Mumbai will have Tendulkar's services for the fourth game this season. The last time the great man played in as many Ranji Trophy games was in 1993-94. The following season, he played five games and led the team to the title.

But with the increase in matches, in a crowded international calendar, his appearances in India's premier domestic event have been few and far between. In fact, between 2000-01 and 2006-07, he didn't play in a single Ranji Trophy match.

Mumbai will welcome Tendulkar's experience in the dressing room with both arms in the final, but the batsman himself will enjoy the outing what with the four-Test series against Australia starting in Chennai from February 22.

If Mumbai win the final against Saurashtra, Tendulkar would also be keen to turn up for them in the Irani Cup against Rest Of India starting on February 6.

Tendulkar last played in the Irani Cup, in September 2003, when he captained Mumbai against a fantastic Rest Of India side in Chennai, a game that Mumbai lost by a whisker thanks to the second innings heroics of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman on a tricky Chepauk track. He will be keen to help Mumbai win the Irani Trophy for the first time since 1997-98.

For the record, Tendulkar has been on the winning side in the Irani Trophy just once when he captained the side to glory against Rest Of India at the Wankhede in 1995-96.

With the ODI series against England ending on January 27 and no international cricket scheduled till the Aussies arrive, it can be safely assumed that the Rest Of India squad will be a powerhouse line-up, something that hasn't happened since 2008-09 when Dhoni led a star-studded Rest Of India team that beat Delhi at Baroda.

Facing the likes of Pragyan Ojha, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Bhuvneshwar Kumar won't be bad preparation for him ahead of what should be his swansong on home soil against opponents that have always brought out the best in him. Australia.

A look at Tendulkar's phenomenal feats in Ranji Trophy

Matches in Ranji Trophy: 35; Runs: 4175; 100s-18; 50s-18; Avg-88.82

Highest: 233 not out vs Tamil Nadu in 2000 semifinal.

This season: 137 vs Railways, 108 and 9 vs Baroda, 56 vs Services

In Ranji finals at Wankhede

47 and 96 vs Haryana in 1991 (Mumbai lost by 2 runs)

140 and 139 vs Punjab in 1995 (Mumbai won on first inns lead)

53 and 128 vs Hyderabad in 2000 (Mumbai won by 297 runs)

105 and 43 vs Bengal in 2007 (Mumbai won by 132 runs).



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Keywords;Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarka, Wankhede,Ranji Trophy,World Cup, international calendar, Saurashtra, Irani Cup, Pragyan Ojha, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda , Bhuvneshwar Kumar,cricket news,sports news