‘What Others Do, Musheer Does Better’: The Young Talent From Mumbai’s Cricket Loving ‘Khan-Dan' Puts on a Show in Ranji Finals – News18

The Khan family from the Taximen colony in the Kurla region, Mumbai will be pinching themselves daily for the past few weeks. The elder son, Sarfaraz Khan’s Test debut was the highlight of the month until the younger one, Musheer Khan, decided to put up a show in the Ranji Trophy finals against Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium.

Musheer smashed a century in the all-important Maharashtra derby, putting the visitors on the back foot. After reaching his fifty, Musheer gave a thumbs up to his dad who replied with a gesture asking him to carry on and play a long innings. The youngster happily obliged to his old man’s command. Musheer smashed 136 runs in 326 deliveries, batting for more than seven hours over two days.

Musheer, who took part in the U-19 World Cup a few months back, played his first game of this season directly in the quarter-finals against Baroda. There he scored his maiden First-Class century and then converted it to a double-ton. He made 203 off 357 as Mumbai were bowled out for 384.

It was a dream come true moment for the 19-year-old youngster.

“Firstly, I am happy that I scored a century in the finals. It was a dream to score a century in the Ranji Trophy final,” Musheer told the media after the day’s play.

‘The Sachin Connection’

Interestingly, Musheer also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s 29-year-old record to become the youngest batter from his team (21) to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final. The master blaster scored a memorable 140 against Punjab in the 1994-95 Ranji Trophy final, when he was 21.

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And just like how Sachin was present at Wankhede to witness Virat Kohli breaking his 49 centuries record, the great man was also present at the Ranji final.

However, Musheer had no idea Sachin was watching him until he reached a score of 60.

“I didn’t even know that Sachin sir had come,” said Musheer.

“When I got past 60, I saw Sachin sir on the screen. That’s when I got the motivation that ‘thoda sa unko dikhana hai aaj batting karke’ (I want to show him my batting),” Musheer added.

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‘Had Talked To Bhai..’

Sarfaraz, who is now a capped India player, had shared some words of wisdom with his younger brother ahead of the finals.

“I had talked to bhai (Sarfaraz) earlier,” said Musheer.

“He said it’s a great opportunity for you. Everybody will be watching you in this final, so if you score here, it will benefit your future. After I got out early in the first innings, he told me to focus on the second innings and back myself to play my natural game,” the youngster added.

‘What Others Can Do, Musheer Does Better…’

Musheer made his Ranji debut last season while his brother Sarafaraz was already in the team. And the seniors had huge compliments to praise his younger brother. Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani also shared the praise with the media after the end of Day 2’s play.

“Last year, when Musheer made his debut, Sarfaraz told the dressing room that what others do, this guy can do much better than that,” Mulani revealed.

“He knew what (kind of) character Musheer is — the gritty character that he is. He has shown that, coming into the knockouts from the (U-19) World Cup,” Mulani added.

The junior Khan is not letting Mumbai miss the services of the senior Khan as Musheer has easily slipped into the shoes that Sarfaraz had left before going into the Indian Test team.