Musheer Khan's Emotional Triumph on a Difficult Day
Saturday morning brought devastating personal news for young Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan. As the 20-year-old prepared to leave for the MCA ground in BKC for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy clash against Himachal Pradesh, he learned of the passing of his maternal uncle, a figure with whom he shared a deep bond and fond childhood memories.
A Brave Fightback on the Cricket Field
Choosing to play through his grief, Musheer displayed immense courage. Walking in when Mumbai was in a precarious position at 35 for three, he witnessed the score slip further to 73 for four. Undeterred by the situation and his personal loss, the youngster anchored the innings, crafting a magnificent 112 runs off 162 balls, which included 14 boundaries. This marked his fourth First-class century and his first since September of the previous year, following a horrific accident that had sidelined him for the 2024-25 domestic season.
Upon reaching the milestone, which took him 143 balls and 263 minutes, Musheer could no longer hold back his emotions. He broke down in tears, raising his bat towards the team dressing room and the spectators in a poignant tribute. "Firstly, this century came after a long time, and also I felt so emotional after losing my mamu (maternal uncle), with whom I have so many fond memories. I have played in his lap," Musheer later shared.
The BKC Connection and a Stellar Comeback
The MCA ground in BKC holds a special significance for Musheer. It was here that he made his First-class debut for Mumbai against Saurashtra in December 2022. His affinity for the venue was evident in his comeback during the Ranji Trophy knockouts of the 2024-25 season, where he smashed an unbeaten 203 and 55 against Baroda in the quarterfinal, followed by 55 against Tamil Nadu in the semifinal.
Musheer's innings was built on patience and a clear strategy. He forged a crucial 157-run partnership with fellow centurion Siddhesh Lad. Explaining his approach, he said, "I always think that I am starting from zero at the start of every session... I try to bat long, try to bat lots of balls." He also detailed his unconventional tactic of charging the pacers: "Because if the bowler gets a rhythm, he becomes better... I try to disturb the length."
Team Support and Family Bonds
Musheer credited his team for their unwavering support during his initial lean patch, where he had scores of 0, 8, and 12. "I would like to thank the coaches and the captain, Shardul bhai (Shardul Thakur). He backed me a lot," he expressed. He also thanked the Mumbai Cricket Association and the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for his rehabilitation.
While Musheer savoured his success, his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan had a tough day, dismissed for 16 runs. Before leaving the field, Sarfaraz offered his younger brother a valuable piece of advice: "Bhai told me to stay there and keep scoring." Their father and coach, Naushad Khan, who usually watches their matches, had to rush to Azamgarh to be with the grieving family.
This century, which takes him closer to 1,000 first-class runs (he now has 960 from 13 matches), is a significant confidence booster for Musheer. "This hundred is important because it gives you confidence early in the season," he remarked, highlighting his focus on process and resilience.
