30 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Parth Bhut’s journey from the narrow streets of Junagadh to the record books of Saurashtra cricket is a story of patience, hard work and determination. The left-arm spinner produced the finest bowling performance by a Saurashtra bowler in the team’s Ranji Trophy history, claiming eight wickets for just 17 runs against Assam on October 29.
The 29-year-old’s remarkable spell helped Saurashtra defeat Assam by an innings and 12 runs in their Ranji Trophy Group B encounter in Rajkot. His figures of 8/17 surpassed the previous best of 8/39 recorded by Jaydev Unadkat against Delhi in January 2023.
For Bhut, the achievement was more than just a statistical milestone. It represented years of hard work, missed opportunities and the determination to establish himself in domestic cricket.
A Passion That Began With India’s 2011 World Cup Victory
Bhut did not always imagine himself becoming a professional cricketer. His passion for the game developed after watching India win the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Coming from a modest family in Junagadh, Gujarat, his journey was not easy. His father, Rameshbhai Bhut, worked as a labourer and earned a living through construction-related work.
Bhut has spoken about the financial challenges his family faced while he was growing up. Unlike players who have access to expensive coaching facilities and extensive resources, he had to find opportunities through local cricket.
His talent was noticed during a summer cricket camp organised by coach Gautam Babariya. Some of Bhut’s friends were attending the camp and encouraged him to join them.
Babariya recognised his potential and motivated him to take cricket seriously. Understanding the family’s financial circumstances, the coach decided to train him without charging fees.
That support became an important part of Bhut’s early cricketing journey.
Rejections Could Not Stop His Progress
Despite showing promise, Bhut faced disappointment during his junior cricket career. He was not selected for Saurashtra’s Under-15 or Under-19 teams, even though he attended selection camps and remained close to making the final squads.
Repeated rejections could have discouraged a young player, but his coach continued to encourage him. Bhut has recalled how Babariya reminded him that his opportunity would eventually arrive if he remained committed.
His breakthrough came when he earned a place in the Saurashtra Under-23 team. He made the most of that opportunity and emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the CK Nayudu Trophy.
The performances helped him move closer to senior-level cricket and established him as a promising spin-bowling option in the Saurashtra setup.
Cheteshwar Pujara Presented His Ranji Trophy Cap
Bhut made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in December 2019. One of the memorable moments of his early career was receiving his Ranji Trophy cap from veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara.
However, establishing himself in the playing XI was not straightforward. Saurashtra already had experienced left-arm spinners, including Ravindra Jadeja and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.
Instead of allowing the competition to affect his confidence, Bhut focused on making the most of every opportunity. His consistent performances gradually strengthened his position in the team.
He also demonstrated his batting ability during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season. In the quarter-final against Punjab, Bhut scored an unbeaten 111 from No. 9, helping Saurashtra recover from a difficult position. He followed that innings with a five-wicket haul in Punjab’s second innings.
Saurashtra went on to win the tournament, and Bhut’s all-round contribution became one of the memorable moments of his domestic career.
Record-Breaking Spell Against Assam
Bhut’s latest achievement came during Saurashtra’s Group B match against Assam in Rajkot.
After Assam scored 281 in their first innings, Saurashtra responded with 387, taking a 106-run lead. Hetvik Kotak contributed 80 runs, while Prerak Mankad scored 76 to strengthen Saurashtra’s position.
Assam struggled in their second innings and were eventually dismissed for 94. Bhut led the bowling attack with an outstanding 8/17, dismantling the opposition batting line-up and helping his team secure an innings victory.
His performance broke Unadkat’s previous Saurashtra record of 8/39 in a Ranji Trophy innings.
Bhut also received praise from Ravindra Jadeja, who appreciated his consistency and encouraged him to continue on the right path.
Dream of Playing Test Cricket for India
Despite the growing popularity of T20 cricket and the Indian Premier League, Bhut has expressed a strong preference for the traditional red-ball format.
He has spoken about his ambition to represent India in Test cricket and believes consistent performances can keep that dream alive.
His journey also highlights the importance of opportunities in domestic cricket. After missing out on junior state selections and waiting for his chance at the senior level, he has gradually built a reputation through performances with both bat and ball.
At 29, Bhut remains focused on improving his game rather than worrying about age or selection timelines.
His record-breaking performance against Assam has brought him wider recognition, but the left-arm spinner’s bigger ambition remains clear: continue performing for Saurashtra and earn an opportunity to represent India in Test cricket.