The Khadoos in Sutar: How Mumbai shaped a historic 400
Approximately 500 spectators at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, near Dimapur, witnessed a historic moment in Indian domestic cricket on Monday: a batter scoring 400 for the first time in 78 years.
Chinmay Sutar, a 29-year-old from Mumbai, remained unaware of the milestone during his 517-ball marathon. He learned of the achievement only after Nagaland declared their innings at 581 for nine.
Sutar’s 400 not out places him in an elite group of just 10 players to hit a quadruple century in first-class cricket worldwide. He joins Bhausaheb Nimbalkar, who scored an unbeaten 443 for Maharashtra against Kathiawar in Pune in 1948-49. This was only Sutar’s second first-class game, following his debut in the season-opener against Manipur the previous week.
Background and Mumbai Influence
Born in Thane, Sutar lived his entire life in Chinchani, a village in Palghar district near Mumbai. He represented Mumbai in this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy and played for the Maratha Royals in the Mumbai T20 League in June.
"My dream was to play for Mumbai, but it couldn’t come true. So, I am really grateful and very happy that I got the chance to play the Ranji Trophy for Mizoram," Sutar said.
Sutar attributes his endurance to fitness and the "Khadoos" (stubborn/patient) attitude ingrained in him by Mumbai cricket. "I just thought I needed to stay at the crease for as long as possible because I knew that if I stayed there, the runs would come easily. So, that is what I did, and I’m glad I could do it. I think I learned that from Mumbai. I have been playing since I was a kid, since school cricket. I have always played red-ball cricket, so that (Khadoos) attitude will always be there."
Career Context
Scoring big is not new to Sutar. His previous highest score was 213 in the Young Comrade Shield Cricket Tournament representing the Cricket Club of India (CCI). Last year, he scored 170 in a Times Shield match for Mumbai Customs.
Currently working for Bank of Baroda, Sutar has played alongside Mumbai stars such as Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, and Shardul Thakur. He is mentored by current Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad at Maratha Royals, whose patient batting style may have influenced Sutar.
Sutar played for Mumbai in Under-23 and Under-25 age groups, captaining the Under-23 side in four matches. His father, Rajesh Sutar, played seven first-class and 30 List-A games for Mumbai and served as a selector.
Mizoram Team Dynamics
Sutar sees potential in his current team. "It’s really different from Mumbai, but I think the Mizoram boys are really good. I can see the hunger in them to improve as players and as individuals. I think it’s a really great team. We have a good bunch of lads. It’s a very young team, and I think cricket is developing and growing here. It’s good to see."
Related Posts
