Photo via The Times of India

Kumar Kushagra’s India call-up gives Jharkhand youngsters a reason to dream

Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy squad is riding high after wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra earned his maiden call-up to the senior Indian ODI team, a milestone that has injected fresh motivation into the young side. Selected as Rishabh Pant’s replacement for the final two ODIs against New Zealand, Kushagra’s achievement has become a rallying point for his teammates, who celebrated the news during their stay in Pune ahead of a tough away match against Maharashtra.

Coach Ratan Kumar emphasized the team’s pride in Kushagra’s success, noting how his selection—announced just before the squad’s arrival—sparked excitement among players, many of whom had worked closely with him over the past two to three years. With an average age of around 24, the Jharkhand team sees Kushagra’s breakthrough as proof that hard work can lead to national recognition, a sentiment that could fuel their performance in the upcoming Group C clash at MCA Stadium in Pune, starting Sunday.

The team’s recent form includes a hard-fought draw against Kerala in Jamshedpur, where Virat Singh and Aditya Singh led the batting with centuries, while Utkarsh Singh’s five-wicket haul and contributions from spinners Manishi and Md Kounain Quraishi highlighted their depth. Jharkhand will also welcome back Anukul Roy, who returns from India A duties, adding competition in the spin department ahead of the red-soil conditions that could favor their pacers.

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