Ranji Trophy 2021-22: Baroda's Vishnu Solanki scores century days after losing his daughter

Just a few days after losing his daughter, Baroda cricketer Vishnu Solanki scored a remarkable hundred against Chandigarh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2021-22. The track seemed favouring the bowlers a lot more as Chandigarh got bundled out for 168 while batting first at the Vikas Cricket Ground in Bhubaneswar. However, Solanki, who came to bat at number five, put up a batting exhibition and brought up his ton at the fag end of Day 2.

He finished the day at an unbeaten 103 off 161 deliveries as Baroda approached 400. Solanki’s commendable knock featured 12 hits to the fence as Chandigarh bowlers endured a hard time against him. As Solanki braved his personal tragedy and played a magnificent knock, Twitterati saluted him. Saurashtra’s wicketkeeper-batter Sheldon Jackson was among the notable names to laud the batter.

Vishnu Solanki has to be the toughest player I have known: Sheldon Jackson

“What a player. Has to be the toughest player I have known. A big salute to Vishnu and his family by no means this is easy. Wish you many more hundreds and a lot of success,” tweeted the 35-year-old.

CEO of Baroda Cricket Association, Shishir Hattangadi was also impressed with the 29-year-old. “Story of a Cricketer who lost his new born daughter a few days ago. He attends the funeral and gets back to represent his team to get a hundred. His name may not make social media “likes”, but for me #vishnoosolanki is a real life hero. An inspiration!” wrote Hattangadi on the micro-blogging website.

As per a report in Hindustan Times, Solanki received the news of his daughter’s birth past midnight on February 11. Inside 24 hours, however, the cricketer was informed that the newborn is no more. Solanki, who was in Bhubaneswar with his state team, flew back to Vadodara to attend the funeral. Within three days, however, he took the flight back to Bhubaneswar and joined his state team.