Photo via Sportstar

Unbothered by India A snub, Mumbai’s hat-trick hero Tushar Deshpande wants to ‘chase performance, not selection’

Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande marked his 50th First-Class match with a career-defining performance, claiming a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul (5/17 in 7 overs) to dismantle Chandigarh’s batting lineup. The 30-year-old, who had earlier scored 44 runs with the bat, delivered a masterclass after tea, bowling three consecutive deliveries to dismiss Arjun Azad, Shivam Bhambri, and Dipender Kush.

His spell accelerated Chandigarh’s collapse from 429/9 to a follow-on target of 78, showcasing his ability to exploit seam-friendly conditions at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite being overlooked for India A’s upcoming tour of New Zealand—despite strong form against Australia A last month—Deshpande remains focused on his game, stating he prioritizes performance over selection and harbors ambitions of Test cricket for India.

The hat-trick marked Mumbai’s sixth in First-Class cricket, adding to a historic list that includes legends like Jehangir Khot and Umesh Kulkarni. Deshpande, who called the spell one of his best, credited his success to disciplined line and length, capitalizing on patches of seam movement.

With Mumbai needing just nine more wickets to seal the victory, the match was far from over, but Deshpande’s effort underscored his resilience and hunger for success at the highest level.

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