Desai was a highly effective opening bowler for Railways in the Ranji Trophy, averaging nearly five wickets a match at a very low bowling average and with a strike-rate of a wicket every 34.75 balls.
[2] In 1974–75 Desai set a Railways record for match figures that still stands when he took 13 for 77 (8 for 54 and 5 for 23) in another innings victory, this time over Services.
[4] Desai was never selected to play for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
He twice played in Ranji Trophy quarter-finals, each time against Rajasthan.
Railways were 241 for 9 when Desai went to the crease, needing 15 for the lead, but he was bowled for a duck.