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Ankit Bawne Scores 25th First-Class Century, Still Dreams of India
Ankit Bawne is a cricket player for Maharashtra.
He scored 105 runs without getting out in a Ranji Trophy match against Services.
It was his 25th century in First-Class cricket.
Last season was difficult for him, so he wanted to show he could still play well.
He said he keeps focusing on one game at a time.
Bawne has played domestic cricket for nearly 20 years but has not played for India.
At 34, he still hopes strong performances could help him get selected.
Maharashtra ended the day with 287 runs and five wickets lost.
Ankit Bawne scored an unbeaten 105 for Maharashtra against Services in their Ranji Trophy opener.
His century was his 25th in First-Class cricket and came off 232 deliveries on a pitch with uneven pace and bounce.
Maharashtra finished the first day at 287/5; Services bowler Arjun Sharma took 3/74.
The 34-year-old said he had scored 72 runs at an average of 10.28 last season and wanted to prove himself.
Despite nearly 20 years in domestic cricket without an India selection, Bawne says he still believes a national opportunity can come.
- Who
- Ankit Bawne, playing for Maharashtra against Services.
- What
- Bawne scored an unbeaten 105, his 25th First-Class century.
- Where
- At Palam.
- When
- On the first day of Maharashtra’s Ranji Trophy opener, described as Sunday.
- Why
- Bawne said he wanted to prove himself after a poor previous season and continues to pursue the possibility of playing for India.
Bawne’s continued India ambition
The long wait for selection
Prospects of an India call-up
Bawne’s continued India ambition
Bawne believes a strong Ranji season, including a target of 1,200 runs, could bring him to the selectors’ attention; he says an opportunity can come at any time.
The long wait for selection
Despite earlier notable performances for India A and nearly 20 years in domestic cricket, Bawne has not made the national team.
How to view his long career
Bawne’s continued India ambition
Bawne says he takes each game as it comes and still has the same hunger he had as a teenager.
The long wait for selection
The article frames 19 years in the game as potentially reflecting either stability or stagnation, and notes his very low returns last season.
Key facts
- Bawne's score
- 105 not out off 232 deliveries
- First-Class centuries
- 25
- Maharashtra total
- 287/5 at the end of the first day
- Services' leading bowling figure
- Arjun Sharma: 3/74
- Previous season
- 72 runs at an average of 10.28
- Age
- 34
- Domestic career
- Nearly 20 years in the circuit
Quotes
Ankit Bawne
Maharashtra batter interviewed after scoring a Ranji Trophy century.
“I didn’t do it in a rude way. It was just to convey a message, that I am still playing, still performing, still alive.”
indianexpress.com
“The hunger I have at 34 is the same that I had at 15.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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