BCCI hosted the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy successfully in 2021. While Tamil Nadu defended the SMAT, Himachal Pradesh did the unexpected by winning the VHT. With ICC limited-overs tournaments scheduled in the next two years, the context of the domestic tournaments was important. In this article, we take a look at the best performers from India’s limited-overs domestic season that concluded recently.
1) Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra)
SMAT Stats: Games – 5 || Runs – 259 || Average – 51.80
VHT Stats: Games – 5 || Runs – 603 || Average – 150.75
After he won the Orange Cap in IPL 2021, Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s stocks have hit the roof in terms of value. He has further done it good by being in top form in the domestic competitions.
While he had an average SMAT considering the standards he had set, when it came to the Vijay Hazare, Rutu was unstoppable. He played just five games but scored four centuries in them. His VHT average stood at a stunning number of 150.75. Going by his current form, he is likely to be a part of Team India in limited-overs formats.
2) Rishi Dhawan (Himachal Pradesh)
SMAT Stats: Games – 6 || Runs – 140 || Wickets – 14
VHT Stats: Games – 8 || Runs – 458 || Wickets – 17
Himachal Pradesh captain Rishi Dhawan is on this list of the best performers from India’s limited-overs domestic season. India has been involved in a perennial search for seam-bowling all-rounders and with a strong performance this season, Rishi could as well make a comeback to Team India after five long years.
The all-rounder stood at No.2 in the list of both the highest run-getters and highest wicket-taker in the 50-over competition. In SMAT, he was the third-highest wicket-taker, while he had an okayish performance with the willow. Atop this, he also led his team and won the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It has been a dream run for Rishi, and if not an instant reward, better things are surely waiting for him.
3) Manan Vohra (Chandigarh)
SMAT Stats: Games – 5 || Runs – 273 || Average – 68.25
VHT Stats: Games – 5 || Runs – 379 || Average – 75.80
Manan Vohra was rated highly when he was a teenager. However, he could not make it big in his career. That said, the Chandigarh skipper has done well in the recent domestic season.
The player has struck runs consistently and won a few games for his team. He is still 28 years old and if he has a good IPL season as a follow-up, Manan can still force an entry into the eyes of the selectors.
4) Shahrukh Khan (Tamil Nadu)
SMAT Stats: Games – 8 || Runs – 88 || Strike Rate – 220
VHT Stats: Games – 8 || Runs – 253 || Strike Rate – 186
Of course, Shahrukh Khan is on this list of the best performers from India’s limited-overs domestic season. In the T20 over the tournament, Shahrukh did not get a lot of chances with the bat. However, in the final, he pulled off a stunning knock, that gave the trophy for his team.
In the 50-overs format, though, the Tamil Nadu man seemed invincible. He had a strike rate of above 180, all while maintaining an average of above 40. His hitting abilities were on glorious display, and an India call-up is not far away.
5) Yash Thakur (Vidharbha)
SMAT Stats: Games – 7 || Wickets – 11 || Average – 12
VHT Stats: Games – 7 || Wickets – 18 || Average – 20
Not all bowlers enjoyed a fine outing in both tournaments. However, Yash Thakur is one seamer, who did well in both the competitions. Hence, Yash features on this list.
While the Vidharbha pace was the highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he stood at No.9 in the T20 competition. If not an immediate chance with Team India, an IPL contract, at least, is possible for the 23-year-old.
