Mumbai’s 42nd Ranji Trophy Win: Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma Cheer On
Mumbai secured their 42nd Ranji Trophy title with a commanding 169-run triumph over Vidarbha in the final-day showdown of the 2024 season. Despite Vidarbha’s valiant effort, Mumbai’s spinners orchestrated their victory by dismissing Vidarbha for 368 while chasing a daunting target of 538 runs.
This victory marked Mumbai’s first title in eight years since Aditya Tare guided them to success in the 2015-16 season. It also marked Vidarbha’s inaugural defeat in a Ranji final after participating in their third summit clash.
Musheer Khan emerged as the standout performer for Mumbai, crafting a splendid second-innings century of 136 runs from 326 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer’s sturdy 95 provided the cornerstone for Mumbai’s second innings total of 418, setting Vidarbha a formidable target.
Despite Vidarbha’s resilience, which included noteworthy contributions from Karun Nair (74), skipper Akshay Wadkar (102), and Harsh Dubey (65), the pivotal dismissal of Wadkar by spinner Tanush Kotian shifted the momentum in Mumbai’s favor. Kotian, who ended the final with a haul of seven wickets, played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s triumph.
Furthermore, Shardul Thakur made significant batting contributions in the first innings, registering a crucial 75 off 69 balls. Musheer Khan showcased his versatility by claiming vital wickets in the second innings, including the dismissals of Vidarbha’s key batsmen Nair and Aman Mokhade.
Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma Join Celebrations as Mumbai Secures 42nd Ranji Trophy Victory, with Sanjay Manjrekar Also Extending Congratulations on Social Media
Mumbai broke their eight-year Ranji trophy drought on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium as they defeated Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of the tournament to win their record-tying 42nd championship trophy.
Mumbai’s triumph served as a fitting homage to veteran bowler Dhawal Kulkarni’s record of greatness in domestic cricket. Kulkarni was playing his farewell match, and his performance led the bowlers.
Mumbai’s fast bowler Tushar Deshpande and spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian were instrumental in destroying Vidarbha’s batting order, dismissing them for 368 in an extraordinary 538-run chase.
Despite the courageous efforts of Vidarbha’s captain Akshay Wadkar and newcomer Harsh Dubey, who resisted Mumbai’s bowlers in a wicket-less morning session, a 130-run sixth-wicket partnership between them left Vidarbha needing 290 runs on the final day of their 538-run chase. However, Wadkar was dismissed by Kotian early on day five after his crucial innings of 102 runs, shifting the momentum in Mumbai’s favor.
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However, Vidarbha’s hopes of securing a third First-Class title were dashed following their collapse in the subsequent overs. Tanush Kotian showcased his bowling prowess by claiming four wickets, notably dismissing the legendary Wadkar. Deshpande also contributed with two crucial wickets towards the end of the day.
Cricket Icons Celebrate Mumbai’s 42nd Ranji Trophy Win. Check Social media posts –
Conclusion:
In a fitting conclusion, it was Kulkarni, the stalwart of Mumbai cricket, who delivered the decisive blow by dismissing Umesh Yadav to secure victory. With his captain Ajinkya Rahane and the passionate Wankhede crowd rallying behind him, Kulkarni bid farewell to his beloved team in an emotional send-off, marking the end of an era. His departure signifies the conclusion of a remarkable domestic career, cementing his legacy as a true legend in Mumbai’s cricketing history.
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