Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Anand finds comfort in Sarfaraz’s company after finger injury

Mumbai’s Akash Anand celebrates scoring a fifty against Himachal Pradesh. | Photo Credit: MCA

A finger injury kept Akash Anand out of wicketkeeping duties for a day, but it did not stop him from making his presence felt with the bat.

Back in the middle without pain, the Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter joined Sarfaraz Khan in an unbroken 176-run partnership against Himachal Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy fixture, turning a good position into a stronger one.

“Yesterday, when I had the impact (injury), there was a bit of discomfort. But after I took painkillers and got it taped, I was okay immediately. If the match had gone on longer, I might have kept wickets as well,” Anand told Sportstar.

“But we were bowling them out around lunchtime and they were seven down, so I thought that if I could get a day’s break, it would help the finger heal better. That was basically the plan. Today, there was no pain, actually. Painkillers and taping always work well…”

Special taping on his gloves, arranged by the team physio, offered extra protection and reassurance. With the discomfort gone, Anand could focus on the task at hand — building on the platform laid by Mushir Khan and Siddhesh Lad.

READ | Sarfaraz ton puts Mumbai in control against Himachal Pradesh

“Mushir and Siddhesh did the main job and laid the foundation well. When I went in to bat with Sarfaraz, it was a tricky position. At number six or seven, the new ball is usually around the corner,” he said.

The plan was to negotiate that phase without losing momentum. With little assistance for the bowlers, the pair looked to cash in on the conditions and extend Mumbai’s lead.

“We wanted to build on the lead because there wasn’t much help for the bowlers in the afternoon session. The wicket was flat and keeping a bit low, but there wasn’t much assistance off the surface. We wanted to cash in on the better conditions we got today, and luckily, we did,” Anand said.

The partnership carried added significance for both batters, who had got out cheaply in Mumbai’s opening game. Anand sensed Sarfaraz’s determination, but also noticed something he had rarely seen from his long-time teammate -- nervousness before a half-century.

“Basically, I think it came down to hunger, because we both got out cheaply in the first game. We both wanted to do really well. Sarfaraz was very nervous before reaching his fifty. I’d never seen him nervous,” he said.

“When he was trying to get to that 50 milestone, which he has reached hundreds of times, I understood that if a player like Sarfaraz can attach so much value to a small milestone, we need to cash in when we’re set. If we can make it big, it will help the team. That was the main point. We wanted to make it big once we got set.”

Having played plenty of cricket together, the two did not need much explanation to understand what the other was looking for. As Sarfaraz approached the milestone, the communication and search for singles became particularly important.

“That’s the understanding you develop when you play together. You can see things from the other end that a common person might not understand. He wasn’t particularly fidgety, but he was looking for singles and wanted to communicate well because a milestone was coming up. A quick single for your partner always helps. That was somewhere in our minds. I could see how cautiously he was looking for that single, and that was really good,” Anand said.

For the seasoned campaigner, the partnership was an opportunity to contribute after the enforced break from wicketkeeping. For Mumbai, it strengthened a position from which the team could push for another win. He was, however, wary of looking too far ahead.

“It’s too early, basically, because tomorrow is a fresh day. We’ll have to focus and concentrate again. If we lose our focus tomorrow and give them a chance to come back into the game, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.

The larger ambition remains a title. In a Mumbai side where competition for places is relentless, Anand is ready to contribute wherever required.

“The main goal this season is to win the final and contribute as much as I can with the bat or with the gloves, whatever number I bat at, because I float around the order. Wherever I get to bat, I want to help my team win. Hopefully, we get our 43rd title this time.”