Given the number of times has bailed Mumbai out in the Ranji Trophy with crucial knocks, one wonders if the word ‘pressure’ even exists in his dictionary.
Recently, he crossed 5000 runs in first-class cricket across a career spanning 12 years. It was on November 7, 2013, that Lad made his first-class debut for Mumbai against Punjab.
“I want every opportunity for Mumbai to count. It’s an honour to represent Mumbai. Whenever I see the culture, tradition, and players, who have represented Mumbai, I feel proud. Whenever I step onto the field and whenever the team needs me, I want to give my 100 per cent,” Lad said on Friday after a practice session on the eve of Mumbai’s fourth-round Ranji match against Himachal Pradesh at the MCA-BKC ground.
“There are always high expectations from the Mumbai team. Even losing a final is counted as a bad year for us. So, there’s always pressure. My experience has helped me overcome this pressure,” he added.
The highest run-getter for Mumbai in three matches this season, with 233 runs at 58.25, including a century and a half-century, Lad will be hoping his team is off to a sound start and that it’s not left to him to bail them out again. Mumbai are second in the table with 10 points, behind Hyderabad (also on 10, but with a better Net Run-Rate).
Lad is banking on this and the next match against Puducherry, also a home game, to try and help Mumbai emerge as the sole table-toppers with outright wins.
Traditionally, the MCA-BKC pitch has helped pace bowlers early on while spinners having a major say as the match progresses.
HP, second-last in Group D with four points, are ready for the challenge. On Friday, captain and wicketkeeper Ankush Bains said: “We have prepared well. We have full confidence. It will be good to play against a good side and get a positive win.”
HP have never beaten Mumbai in five meetings so far, losing three and drawing two.