Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande made a remarkable return to red-ball cricket while battling severe bronchitis during his Ranji Trophy comeback against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. The right-arm fast bowler continued to play despite struggling with breathlessness on the opening day of the match.
Deshpande made a comeback to red-ball cricket after an 18-month hiatus. He struggled with acute breathlessness during warm-ups on the opening day at the high-altitude Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. However, he helped the team secure a win in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 against Jammu and Kashmir.
Tushar Deshpande’s Bowling Helps Mumbai Secure Victory in Ranji Trophy Opener
According to a report by the Rajasthan Royals, Tushar Deshpande was struggling to breathe while warming up on the opening day. The pacer was rushed to a hospital for treatment, and doctors were uncertain about his participation in the match.
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Mumbai scored 386 runs in their first innings. Deshpande, who was still not fully recovered, insisted on returning to bowl during the second day. The fast bowler pushed through the pain, bowled 35 overs across two innings, and picked up four wickets.
He earned widespread admiration for his unwavering commitment to the game. Mumbai recorded a 35-run victory on Saturday, October 18.
I Had Blanked Out for 10 Seconds During Warm-Up – Tushar Deshpande
Speaking to Rajasthan Royals, Tushar Deshpande described the match as important both for the team and for himself. He also revealed that he briefly blacked out during warm-ups, but his determination to perform for the team helped him take the field.
“This was a crucial game for us and for me personally, too. Jammu and Kashmir had defeated us last season, and we wanted to start this campaign on the right note. It was also big for me because I was returning to Ranji after a year and a half,” Deshpande said.
“I had blanked out for 10 seconds during warm-up, but the will to do it for my team greatly helped me get over my discomfort,” he added.
After the match, the Mumbai team headed home to celebrate Diwali. They will now shift their focus to the next Ranji Trophy clash against Chhattisgarh, scheduled to begin on October 25 at the Wankhede Stadium.
Tushar Deshpande Had a Mixed IPL 2025 Season After Ankle Surgery
Tushar Deshpande missed the entire 2024-25 domestic season due to ankle surgery but made his return in IPL 2025 after being bought by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 6.5 crore.
However, he had inconsistent performances with the Jaipur-based team. He picked up nine wickets in 10 matches at an average of 37.77 at an expensive economy rate of 10.63.
Deshpande has played 39 first-class matches and has taken 104 wickets at an average of 29.67, including five five-wicket hauls with his best figures of 6/70. He made his international debut during a T20I match against Zimbabwe in 2024.
