Ankit Bawne's India dream remains alive after the Maharashtra batter began the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season with an unbeaten century against Services. At 33, after nearly two decades in domestic cricket, Bawne delivered a timely reminder of his ability, scoring 105 not out on the opening day and registering his 25th first-class hundred.
Maharashtra finished the day at 287 for five at the Air Force Cricket Ground in Palam, Delhi. While Prithvi Shaw contributed a brisk 70, Bawne anchored the innings on a challenging pitch where the ball stayed low and uneven bounce tested the batters. His century carried particular significance after a disappointing previous season that left him questioning his place in the game.
A Difficult Season Forced Bawne to Reassess
Bawne scored just 72 runs in seven matches during the previous Ranji Trophy campaign, a sharp decline for a batter accustomed to consistent performances. He had captained Maharashtra last season, but began the new campaign without the leadership role, with Shaw taking charge in Ruturaj Gaikwad's absence.
The slump was difficult to process for a player who had accumulated more than 8,400 first-class runs. Bawne admitted that he began questioning whether he still belonged at this level, despite having scored 24 first-class centuries before the new season.
He said the experience taught him that past achievements cannot guarantee future opportunities. Every season, he believes, requires players to prove themselves again.
Intensive Preparation Helped Restore Confidence
An elbow injury in June gave Bawne time away from competitive cricket and an opportunity to reset. He returned to the nets in Pune, arranging practice sessions independently and working to correct technical and tactical mistakes.
Over the two months before the season began, Bawne estimated that he faced between 20,000 and 25,000 balls in practice. He also visualised scoring a century in Maharashtra's opening match, making it a personal target after months of frustration.
The unbeaten 105 against Services fulfilled that ambition. Bawne clarified that his emotional celebration was not aimed at critics but reflected the satisfaction of returning to form after questioning his own abilities.
Lessons From Rahul Dravid and Family Support
Bawne credited his parents for helping him remain calm during the difficult period. His father reminded him that even celebrated players such as Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar had experienced slumps.
His time with India A in 2017 and 2018 also left a lasting impression. Bawne recalled learning from Rahul Dravid about the importance of patience, discipline and adapting batting to the demands of each format rather than chasing the tempo of shorter cricket.
India Call-Up Remains the Ultimate Goal
Despite nearly 20 years in domestic cricket, representing India at the senior level remains the milestone Bawne has yet to achieve. He remains optimistic that substantial runs in the Ranji Trophy could strengthen his case for selection.
Bawne said he would continue focusing on scoring heavily and helping Maharashtra succeed rather than allowing disappointment over selection to affect his mindset. He believes there is still much left to accomplish and sees the demands of domestic cricket as motivation rather than a reason to step away.
His century against Services does not guarantee an India call-up or erase the previous season's struggles. However, it offers a strong start to a campaign in which Bawne hopes to turn preparation into consistent performances and keep his long-held ambition within reach.
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