Ranji Trophy Showdown: Shardul Thakur’s Stellar All-round Display Keeps Mumbai-Vidarbha Clash on Edge

Shardul Thakur’s Heroics Propel Mumbai, but Vidarbha Bounces Back in Ranji Trophy Clash

In the Ranji Trophy final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai faced a formidable Vidarbha bowling attack. Despite Shardul Thakur’s resilient 75, Mumbai was bowled out for 224 after opting to bat. In response, Vidarbha ended the day at 31/3. The match witnessed a challenging period for Mumbai, losing four wickets in just 35 minutes before lunch, altering the game’s dynamics.

The opening hour of the Ranji Trophy final saw Mumbai cruising past fifty, leaving Vidarbha questioning their decision to bowl. Prithvi Shaw’s powerful drives exploited Vidarbha’s inconsistent bowling. Bhupen Lalwani’s dismissal for 37, caught by Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar, shifted momentum. Shaw’s aggressive strokes faced a setback as he misjudged a delivery from Harsh Dubey, resulting in a dismissal at 46. Dubey’s strikes set Mumbai back, creating a turning point.

Challenges persisted for Mumbai in the second session, with early dismissals of Hardik Tamore and skipper Ajinkya Rahane at 111. Harsh Dubey’s well-flighted delivery accounted for Rahane’s dismissal. In a crucial moment, Shardul Thakur stepped up, showcasing clean striking and reaching his 50 in 37 balls. Despite Thakur’s aggressive innings, Mumbai faced a collapse, reaching 224 with Thakur dismissed as the last man.

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Shardul Thakur reflected on his tough journey, emphasizing the mindset from his childhood experiences. Dubey (20-3-62-3) and Yash Thakur (11-2-54-3) were Vidarbha’s leading wicket-takers, while Umesh Yadav secured two wickets. In response, Mumbai’s pace bowlers claimed three wickets, with Thakur trapping Dhruv Shorey for a duck.

In the Ranji Trophy final, Mumbai’s familiar batting struggle saw six wickets falling for 30 runs after a promising opening stand. Shardul Thakur’s resilient 75 played a crucial role in Mumbai reaching 224. Vidarbha concluded the day at 31 for three, with Thakur and Dhawal Kulkarni contributing significantly to Mumbai’s bowling dominance.

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The day unfolded in two contrasting sessions, with batters dominating early on, including Shaw’s cover-drives and Lalwani’s flicks. However, Yash Thakur’s breakthrough left Vidarbha struggling at 31 for three at stumps. Bhupen Lalwani’s dismissal triggered Mumbai’s collapse, losing six wickets for 30 runs.

Mumbai’s Scores in the 1st Innings:

Prithvi Shaw b Dubey 46 (63b, 5×4)
Bhupen Lalwani c Wadkar b Thakur 37 (64b, 4×4)
Musheer Khan lbw b Dubey 6 (12b, 1×4)
Ajinkya Rahane c Shorey b Dubey 7 (35b)
Shreyas Iyer c Karun b Umesh 7 (15b, 1×4)
Hardik Tamore c Wadkar b Thakare 5 (41b)
Shams Mulani lbw b Thakur 13 (37b, 1×6)
Shardul Thakur c Dubey b Umesh 75 (69b, 8×4, 3×6)
Tanush Kotian c Wadkar b Thakur 8 (12b, 1×4)
Tushar Deshpande run out 14 (34b, 2×4)
Dhawal Kulkarni (not out) 0 (7b)
Extras (b-2, lb-2, nb-2): 6
Total (in 64.3 overs): 224

Vidarbha’s Bowling:

Umesh 13.3-2-43-2
Thakare 16-6-36-1
Dubey 20-3-62-3
Thakur 11-2-54-3
Sarvate 4-0-25-0

Vidarbha’s 1st Innings:

Atharva Taide (batting) 21 (46b, 2×4)
Dhruv Shorey lbw b Shardul 0 (3b)
Aman Mokhade c Tamore b Kulkarni 8 (15b, 2×4)
Karun Nair c Tamore b Kulkarni 0 (12b)
Aditya Thakare (batting) 0 (4b)
Extras (nb-2): 2
Total (for three wkts. in 13 overs): 31

Fall of Wickets:
1-1 (Shorey, 2.3)
2-20 (Mokhade, 7.2)
3-24 (Karun, 11.3)

Mumbai’s Bowling:

Shardul 5-0-14-1
Kulkarni 6-2-9-2
Deshpande 2-0-8-0

Toss: Vidarbha

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