Ranji Trophy 2025-26: 'Had blanked out for ten seconds' - How Tushar Deshpande turned up for Mumbai despite severe bronchitis

Mumbai fast bowler Tushar Deshpande has revealed that he played through the recently-concluded Jammu & Kashmir clash while suffering from severe bronchitis. Deshpande played a vital role in Mumbai's 35-run win against the hosts in the opening round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar.

Deshpande revealed that he had lost consciousness for a brief period of time during warm-up. However, the 30-year-old admitted that he was willing 'to do it' for his team, leaving behind the unease he was facing ahead and during the match.

“This was a crucial game for us and for me personally, too. Jammu & Kashmir had defeated us last season and we wanted to start this campaign on the right note. It was also big for me because I was returning to Ranji after a year and a half. I had blanked out for 10 seconds during warm-up, but the will to do it for my team greatly helped me get over my discomfort," stated Deshpande, as quoted by Indian Express.

Deshpande bowled the most number of overs in J&K's first innings (19), picking up three wickets while conceding 57 runs in the process. He was unbeaten on 8 off 20 balls in Mumbai's second innings. The Mumbai-born picked up the wicket of Shubham Khajuria (0 off 2) in the other innings to end up with figures of 1/56 in 15 balls.

Shams Mulani was the star of the show. The left-handed all-rounder secured 91 and 41 with the bat and 2/74 and 7/46, both in the first and second innings of Mumbai and J&K, respectively. J&K had defeated Mumbai in the previous instalment of India's premier red-ball domestic season, a game famous for Rohit Sharma's return to Ranji.

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Mumbai will next take on Chhattisgarh at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. The contest is slated to commence on Saturday, October 25.