Familiarity breeds confidence for Musheer Khan

Musheer Khan celebrates his double century for Mumbai against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final at MCA-BKC on Saturday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Mumbai's Musheer Khan, who cracked a double hundred in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Baroda on Saturday, recalled enjoying some special moments while playing against Baroda in earlier years.

"I scored 258 against Baroda when I represented Mumbai U-14 at Rajkot. Then, in the U-16 tournament, I scored around 250 against the Baroda U-16 team at Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana in Mumbai. And I got a double hundred today [Saturday] in the Ranji Trophy against the same team.

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"During this knock, I was not thinking about anything other than to bat the entire day. But when I was fielding and thinking about my earlier innings, I recollected my two big innings against Baroda in age group cricket. I reminded myself that I've had big hundreds against the same team," Musheer told mid-day on Saturday.

He added: "I felt good scoring a double century, but I am not fully delighted. We must win this match. I want to pick up the Ranji Trophy this year." Mumbai last won the Ranji Trophy in 2015-16.

Musheer's unbeaten 203 helped Mumbai score 384 in their first innings. He put on 181 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Hardik Tamore (57 runs, 3x4) for the sixth wicket.

Tamore and Musheer go back a long way. "Musheer and I have been playing together since our U-14 days and has always backed his shots, be it against spin or pace. He played a superb knock. When I joined Musheer at the crease, we had lost five wickets for 142. We were just looking to build a big partnership. Yes, I played against my attacking game, but I played according to the needs of the team," Tamore added.