EXCLUSIVE: Truckload of runs in Ranji to pave way for Milind's Delhi comeback?

The truckload of runs for Sikkim may have opened the doors for a Delhi comeback but Milind will have to wait a little longer to get reunited with his Delhi teammates

When Milind Kumar was walking back to the dressing room unbeaten on 202 at stumps on Day 1 of his new side Sikkim’s first Ranji Trophy game, he had two things in mind – to bat as long as possible the next day and play for Delhi again. He added 59 more runs to his overnight score, finishing at 261 and gave Sikkim 73 more priceless runs with No. 11 Amos Rai to achieve his first goal but he was still far away from his second one.

Almost two months, 856 more runs in the next five matches with three more hundreds at an average of 113 and the record of being the second fastest to a thousand Ranji Trophy runs later, he saw the first big ray of hope towards achieving his second goal. Delhi was again talking about Milind Kumar, who used to be a regular member of the side even till February this year.

“It’s fantastic to see Delhi cricketers do well everywhere and not only Milind, Rajat Bhatia is also doing well so it's great news for Delhi cricket,” Delhi head coach Mithun Manhas told Wah Cricket ABP News in an exclusive chat.

“Obviously there’s a long process involved and I’m not the one to decide on this, the DDCA officials will take a call whether they want Milind back or not but as a coach, I'd want all the Delhi boys to play for us.”

The truckload of runs for Sikkim may have opened the doors for a Delhi comeback but Milind will have to wait a little longer to get reunited with his Delhi teammates as he may have to deal with the cooling-off period.

“The group stages are almost over, so I don’t think it will be possible to consider the idea this season but surely for next season, why not?” Manhas added.

Milind won’t have to look too far away to draw inspiration. Just a couple of days ago former India U19 World Cup-winning captain and the one who he grew up playing age group cricket with, Unmukt Chand, made a comeback to the Delhi Ranji side for the first time this year. And unlike Unmukt, form is not an issue with Milind. He is currently the highest run scorer of the Ranji Trophy by some distance and in fact, has a shot at breaking VVS Laxman’s all-time tally of 1415 runs.

“Have seen these two youngsters from close quarters. When I was still a player, both Milind and Unmukt were coming up through the ranks, They made their First-class debuts almost at the same time and were always considered the next big things.. Don’t know what happened in the last 3-4 years that the situation has turned up this way,” Manhas said.

While Unmukt’s was a gradual decline and Delhi had no options but to drop him, Milind’s was a bit more sudden. Yes, he did not enjoy a productive run last season but it was more a case of miscommunication between him and the selectors than being a direct result of lack of runs.

In Milind’s words he wasn’t sure “Whether the selectors wanted to him play for Delhi or not.” According to them, Milind had “lost the touch.”

The biggest loss Milind suffered though was his mother’s demise. The deep void in the personal life and the snub from Delhi’s Vijay Hazare squad was too much to handle even for someone with the patience and endurance of Milind. With the danger of not being able to play any First-class games this year, Milind did not think twice before joining Sikkim as a professional player. But his heart always belonged to Delhi. Even after scoring his second double ton on the trot, Milind’s reply to whether he wants to play for Delhi again was a loud and clear “yes”, just like his strokes through the cover region.