Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: A reminder from Ishank Jaggi, just in time

For years, Jaggi has been a name not unheard of in the domestic circuit, yet still he wasn’t often spoken about either. A top order batsman destined to languish in the realm of indifference and mediocrity, it would seem. That was until the 2016-17 season kicked in. There was more meaning and purpose to his knocks everytime he took to the field. It was a season where he would help Jharkhand reach the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy.

On Wednesday at the Wankhede, he came up with a performance that helped East Zone to their second successive win in the zonal T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, against South Zone. And being just a day after his name—once again —did not make it to the pool of players considered for the auction, a chat with the selectors was important – both on and off the field. “It has been a good season for me, since I feel that I have hit the peak. Today’s knock was important on a personal level because I was disappointed last evening (when list was published),” he says.

Terrific season

In the current season, he amassed 890 runs in 10 Ranji Trophy matches—the seventh best in the leaderboard. It included four centuries, the last being a 129-run effort in the semi-final loss to eventual champions Gujarat. It wasn’t coincidence that his form collided with his team making their first ever semi-final appearance in the Ranji Trophy.

And still his name didn’t make it to the auction list. The last time the Jharkhand batsman played an IPL match—he’s played only five—was in 2012 for the Deccan Chargers. Since then he’s been hoping for a chance to get back to the marquee event. Now he feels ready for it. “I have played so much of domestic cricket that I know all about it and want to graduate to the next level. That is why today’s knock was so important. It will help me move up to the next level,” he says. His performances of late have shown him in good form this season. In the opening match against Central Zone, he marched to an unbeaten 51 during a successful run chase.
Elegant drives

On Wednesday, he came in to bat in as early as the second over. In the chase of the 179-run target, Jaggi displayed an array of elegant cover drives and wristy flicks over the leg-side. It was an exhibition of timing, placement, power and flair. He had his fair share of luck as well. Batting on 39, he was caught at deep midwicket, only for the umpires to call him back after replays suggested the bowler overstepped. Later at 89, he was dropped at point. “I got that reprieve today and made the most of it. So luck helps,” he says, smiling. Still the century did not happen. He skied a mishit slog that came out as a straight-forward catch at long off. But in a match that put East Zone at the top of the five-team table, and in a good position to win the championship, Jaggi scored half his team’s runs.
Brief Scores: South Zone 178/6 (M Agarwal 72, R Vinay Kumar 68; Manoj Tiwary 3 for 31) lost to East Zone 181/4 in 19.4 overs (I Jaggi 90, Saurabh Tiwary 33).

Central 167/7 (N Ojha 48, M Rawat 57 not out; A Nehra 3 for 26, H Singh 2 for 35) beat North Zone 163/6 (Shikhar Dhawan 37, Yuvraj Singh 33; Manpreet Grewal 23 not out; Karn Sharma 3 for 17).