Gujarat displayed resilience with their unwavering spirit, turning the tables on Karnataka in a Group C match during the Ranji Trophy 2023/24. Despite defending a modest 110 runs, Gujarat managed to dismiss Karnataka for 103, securing a thrilling six-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday, January 15.
The turnaround was fueled by Siddharth Desai’s exceptional left-arm spin, where he claimed remarkable figures of 7/42, leading Gujarat to success and highlighting his emerging talent in domestic cricket.
Here are some facts about Siddharth Desai
1. He achieved the remarkable feat of securing 14 wickets in the Ranji Trophy Clash Against J&K (2022)
Demonstrating his proficiency in taking substantial wickets is not a novel occurrence for the Gujarat spinner. Back in December 2022, Desai showcased an outstanding performance, gaining widespread attention by claiming an impressive total of 14 wickets in a Ranji Trophy encounter against Jammu and Kashmir.
After Gujarat posted 307 in the initial innings in Ahmedabad, Desai’s spell of 6/38 restricted J&K to 135. The dominance continued in the second innings as he dismantled the J&K batting order, securing eight wickets in just 18 overs. Desai concluded the match with remarkable figures of 14/104, establishing the best bowling performance in the 2022/23 Ranji Trophy edition.
2. Leading Wicket-Taker for Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy 2022/23 Season
With less than 30 first-class matches under his belt, Desai has steadily become a crucial asset for Gujarat. His significance, particularly in the red-ball format, was evident in the Ranji Trophy 2022/23 season. Despite Gujarat’s lacklustre performance, Desai made a lasting impact by emerging as the highest wicket-taker for his team in the competition.
Across six fixtures, he claimed an impressive 30 wickets at an average of 23.70, including three five-wicket hauls. In his overall first-class career spanning 27 matches, Desai has taken 124 wickets at an average of 25.88.
I.C.Y.M.I
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 15, 2024
7⭐️ performance! 🔥
Siddharth Desai's splendid seven-wicket haul helped Gujarat pull off a spectacular win over Karnataka. 👌👌
Relive this special spell of 7/42 🔽@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #GUJvKAR pic.twitter.com/PYnbOh0CVZ
3. Securing U-19 Asia Cup Victory with India in 2018
Having achieved success, Siddharth Desai is a former champion of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup with the Indian team in 2018. Born in August 2000, Desai was merely 18 years old when he secured the trophy alongside the Indian U-19 squad.
His impressive performance in the tournament earned him a spot in the Indian team for the ACC U-23 Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka later that year. The 2018 U-19 Indian team, captained by Maharashtra batter Pavan Shah, featured notable players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Anuj Rawat, and Prabhsimran Singh.
4. Leading Wicket-Taker at the U-19 Asia Cup 2018
Desai didn’t just play a role in India’s triumph at the U-19 Asia Cup 2018 but played a significant part in securing his team’s victory. The left-arm slow orthodox bowler skillfully entangled opposing batsmen, finishing as the top wicket-taker in the tournament held in Bangladesh. Desai claimed an impressive tally of 18 wickets with a remarkable bowling average of 8.44 and a strike rate of 14.33 over five innings.
5. Six-Wicket Haul in Ranji Trophy Clash Against Kerala
Siddharth Desai marked his entry into competitive cricket with an outstanding performance during his debut in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Gujarat against a strong Kerala side in October 2017, which included notable players like Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, Arun Karthik, and Jalaj Saxena, Desai showcased his skills.
Despite the strong opposition, Kerala was limited to 208 in their first innings, and Desai contributed with three wickets. In the second innings, holding a 99-run lead, Desai excelled further, securing a six-wicket haul while sharing the new ball with pacers. His impressive spell of 6/80 earned him the Player of the Match accolade in his inaugural first-class appearance.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
