For most kids growing up in Gujarat, watching Ravindra Jadeja tear through opposition lineups wasn’t just entertainment—it was inspiration. For Parth Bhut, it was destiny. And on a chilly January morning in Rajkot during the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, that childhood dream didn’t just come true—it exploded into reality.
Bhut, the 23-year-old left-arm spinner from Saurashtra, delivered a career-defining performance against Punjab, claiming a sensational 10-wicket haul. But what made it truly special wasn’t just the numbers—it was the voice echoing in his head throughout the match: “Attack kar!”—the signature mantra of his idol and teammate, Ravindra Jadeja.
Before this match, Parth Bhut was a promising name in domestic circles—a consistent performer in the U-19 and U-23 circuits, known for his sharp turn and relentless accuracy. But he hadn’t yet broken through as a match-winner at the senior level.
Hailing from a modest background in Jamnagar, Bhut spent years training in local academies, often mimicking Jadeja’s action in front of a mirror. “I used to watch every ball he bowled,” Bhut told reporters after the match. “When I finally got to play alongside him, I couldn’t believe it.”
Now, with Jadeja not just as a teammate but as an active mentor, Bhut has found the confidence to elevate his game—and it showed in spades against Punjab.
Throughout the match, cameras caught Jadeja leaning over the boundary rope, shouting encouragement to Bhut. But it wasn’t generic praise—it was tactical, psychological, and deeply personal. “He kept telling me, ‘Don’t defend. Attack kar!’” Bhut revealed in a post-match interview .
This phrase—Jadeja’s attack kar mantra—has become legendary in Indian cricket circles. It’s not just about aggression; it’s about owning your role, trusting your skill, and dictating terms to the batter. For a young spinner facing seasoned internationals like Shubman Gill, that mindset shift can be transformative.
Instead of bowling defensively to contain runs, Bhut attacked the stumps, flighted the ball aggressively, and varied his pace with surgical precision—all under Jadeja’s watchful eye.
Bhut’s figures read like a fantasy script: 10 wickets for 87 runs across both innings. Here’s how he dismantled Punjab:
What stood out wasn’t just the wickets—it was the control. His economy rate hovered around 2.1, proving that aggression doesn’t mean recklessness. As ESPNcricinfo noted, “Bhut bowled like a man who’d been given permission to dominate” .
Getting Shubman Gill out once is impressive. Doing it twice in a match—and in contrasting ways—shows elite-level planning.
In the first innings, Bhut used subtle drift and late turn to beat Gill’s outside edge. In the second, he held the ball back slightly, skidding it on to trap him plumb in front. These weren’t flukes; they were the result of detailed pre-match analysis and real-time adjustments guided by Jadeja’s input from the slips.
“He told me Gill likes to drive early,” Bhut explained. “So I gave him width—but with extra spin. He bit.”
This story isn’t just about one player—it highlights a broader trend in Indian cricket: senior stars actively nurturing the next generation. From MS Dhoni in CSK to Virat Kohli backing young quicks in Delhi, mentorship is becoming institutionalized.
Jadeja, in particular, has taken this role seriously in Saurashtra. He regularly stays back after practice to work with spinners, sharing insights on reading batters, managing pressure, and building match temperament. “He doesn’t just talk—he shows you,” Bhut said.
This culture is why Saurashtra has become a powerhouse in domestic cricket, producing talents like Cheteshwar Pujara and now, potentially, Parth Bhut.
With India’s Test squad looking for reliable spin backups beyond Ashwin and Jadeja, performances like Bhut’s are critical. His ability to take wickets on flat tracks—and against top-order batters—makes him a strong candidate for national camp consideration.
Moreover, his rise underscores the value of domestic cricket as a talent incubator. As the BCCI continues to invest in grassroots programs , stories like Bhut’s prove that with the right guidance, even players from smaller towns can shine on the biggest stages.
Parth Bhut’s 10-wicket haul wasn’t just a statistical triumph—it was a testament to the power of belief, mentorship, and a simple but powerful phrase: “Attack kar.” Thanks to Jadeja’s attack kar mantra, a young cricketer didn’t just play alongside his hero—he played like him. And in doing so, he may have just announced himself to the entire cricketing world.
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