<img style="float: left;" title="BS Sandhu" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/feb/BS.jpg" alt="BS Sandhu" />The 1980-81 final against a star-studded Delhi team at the Wankhede Stadium is close to my heart. It was also my maiden Ranji Trophy final.
It was memorable for two reasons: Firstly, I ended with the best bowling figures in an innings in Ranji Trophy (6-72 in the first innings).
Secondly, I picked up the wickets of Arun Lal (9), Surinder Khanna (8) and Madan Lal (0).
<img title="BS Sandhu" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/jul/8Balvinder-Singh-Sandhu-1.jpg" alt="BS Sandhu" width="650" height="662" /> BS Sandhu
Dismissing them gave me so much confidence that I did well against them in future matches as well.
They could never score too much off me and probably, I had gained a psychological edge over them.
I bowled almost non-stop till the tea break on the first day in overcast conditions. I learnt some important lessons from that final. Being in the company of some of the greats of Mumbai cricket helped me a lot when I played for India later.
Mumbai&rsquo;s &lsquo;never-give-up&rsquo; attitude helped me play my cricket the hard way. I learnt that there was absolutely no substitute for hard work.
Ashok Mankad scored a double hundred (265) in Mumbai&rsquo;s (then Bombay) first innings. During the break he told us, &lsquo;I won&rsquo;t get out now&rsquo;.
That era of Mumbai cricket was extraordinary. Players like Mankad would murder any attack if they were not dismissed early. Such was their aura and legacy.
Mumbai&rsquo;s very best cricketers will recall their memorable Ranji Trophy finals for mid-day readers right till the last day of the Mumbai vs Saurashtra Ranji Trophy final in Pune (Feb 24-28).

Former Indian cricketer Balvinder Singh Sandhu says 'the 1980-81 final against a star-studded Delhi team at the Wankhede Stadium is close to my heart for two reasons'

Ranji final memory: I gained a psychological edge over Madan Lal & Co, says Sandhu

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Ranji final memory: I gained a psychological edge over Madan Lal & Co, says Sandhu

Ranji final memory: I gained a psychological edge over Madan Lal & Co, says Sandhu

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast