Table of Contents
- Siddhesh Lad’s Fighting 116 Anchors Mumbai’s Innings
- Embracing the No. 4 Role with Purpose
- The Coaching Legacy Behind His Technique
- Team Success Over Personal Glory
- What’s Next for Mumbai in the Domestic Circuit?
- Sources
Siddhesh Lad’s Century Powers Mumbai’s Revival
In a display of grit and maturity, veteran batsman Siddhesh Lad slammed a crucial 116 against Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy, marking a powerful comeback for the Mumbai cricket team. His knock—laced with elegant drives and calculated aggression—came at a time when the innings needed stability, and Lad delivered with textbook composure.
Facing a disciplined bowling attack on a tricky surface, Lad batted for over five hours, stitching vital partnerships and steering Mumbai from a precarious position to a commanding total. His century wasn’t just about runs—it was a statement of intent from a player embracing the twilight of his career with renewed purpose.
Siddhesh Lad Finds His Niche at No. 4
Lad has consciously taken ownership of the number four batting position—a role historically reserved for the backbone of the Indian middle order. “My job is to stabilize the innings after the openers, assess the conditions, and build a platform for the finishers,” he said after the match.
Unlike flashy stroke-makers, Lad’s value lies in his ability to absorb pressure and rotate strike intelligently. In this innings, he faced 187 deliveries, hit 14 boundaries, and maintained a strike rate just above 62—ideal for a domestic red-ball contest where patience often trumps flamboyance.
Siddhesh Lad’s Recent Ranji Trophy Performances
| Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai vs J&K | 116 | 187 | 62.03 | Mumbai won |
| Mumbai vs Baroda | 68 | 142 | 47.89 | Draw |
| Mumbai vs Gujarat | 42 | 98 | 42.86 | Mumbai won |
Son of Rohit Sharma’s Coach—A Legacy in the Making
Less known to casual fans, Siddhesh Lad is the son of Dinesh Lad, the longtime coach who mentored Rohit Sharma from his school days at Swami Vivekanand International School in Mumbai. Dinesh Lad’s emphasis on discipline, footwork, and mental resilience clearly echoes in Siddhesh’s approach at the crease.
“Growing up around cricket academies and watching Rohit’s journey firsthand gave me a unique perspective,” Siddhesh once shared in an interview. “But I always knew I had to carve my own path.”
While he never made it to the Indian national team, Siddhesh has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket—amassing over 4,500 first-class runs—and remains a respected figure in Mumbai’s dressing room.
Team Success Over Personal Glory
Now in the latter stages of his career, Lad has shifted focus from personal milestones to collective victory. “At this point, it’s not about how many centuries I score,” he said. “It’s about whether my knock helped Mumbai win. That’s the only stat that matters.”
This selfless mindset has earned him praise from teammates and selectors alike. Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane described Lad as “the glue that holds our middle order together,” while coach Amol Muzumdar called his innings “a masterclass in situational awareness.”
What’s Next for Mumbai in the Domestic Circuit?
With Lad in form and the core of the team firing, Mumbai looks poised for a deep Ranji Trophy run. Their next fixture against Saurashtra will test their mettle against one of the tournament’s most balanced sides.
For Siddhesh Lad, every match could be one of his last—but if his recent century is any indication, he’s determined to leave the field not with a whisper, but with a roar.