Mumbai triumphs in 42nd Ranji title despite strong competition from Vidarbha.
Mumbai scored 224 (1st Innings) and 418 (2nd Innings), where as Vidarbha scored 105 (1st Innings) and 368 (2nd Innings)
So, finally Mumbai beat Vidarbha by 169 runs
Mumbai, the perennial hunters of the Ranji Trophy cricket, repossessed the coveted silverware after an arduous eight-season hiatus, clinching a resounding 169-run triumph over Vidarbha in the final showdown at the illustrious Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, March 14th.
Despite a colossal margin of victory, the hosts encountered a formidable resistance from Vidarbha’s skipper, Akshay Wadkar, who crafted a resilient 102, complemented by Harsh Dubey’s defiant 65, thus momentarily stalling Mumbai’s march towards glory.
The morning session of the final day witnessed Vidarbha’s dominance as Wadkar and Dubey steadfastly prolonged their partnership until the lunch break, withstanding Mumbai’s relentless assaults.
Despite the pitch’s sluggish nature, offering some assistance to spinners and uneven bounce, Wadkar and Dubey showcased unwavering resolve, igniting hopes of a miraculous turnaround.
However, Mumbai’s destiny appeared imminent, merely a wicket away.
Tanush Kotian swiftly fulfilled that destiny by dismissing Wadkar with a sharp off-break, securing an LBW dismissal.
In the subsequent over, Tushar Deshpande’s strategic use of short-pitched deliveries unsettled Dubey, reigniting Mumbai’s charge.
Deshpande’s tactic also coerced an ailing Aditya Sarvate into a miscued pull shot, while Kotian dismantled Yash Thakur’s defense.
With one wicket remaining, skipper Ajinkya Rahane entrusted the ball to Dhawal Kulkarni, who gracefully concluded proceedings by clean bowling Umesh Yadav.
Reflecting on the match, Vidarbha’s regret will linger primarily over their first innings’ performance, marked by missed opportunities with the ball and a feeble batting display thereafter.
Having elected to bowl in seam-friendly conditions, the visitors overcame an initial setback to initiate a dramatic collapse in Mumbai’s batting lineup, reducing them from 81/0 to 111/6.
However, true to their tradition, Mumbai’s resilient lower order, spearheaded by Shardul Thakur’s heroic 75, salvaged the innings.
Thakur’s aggressive stroke play flummoxed Vidarbha’s bowlers, who seemed devoid of a coherent plan against him, allowing Mumbai to post a respectable total.
Thakur continued his stellar performance with the ball, dismissing Dhruv Shorey for a duck, while Kulkarni wreaked havoc on Vidarbha’s top order, supported by spinners Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani, who collectively dismantled Vidarbha’s batting lineup within a single session on the second morning.
This commanding performance with the ball proved decisive, as Mumbai’s substantial first innings lead provided the cushion required to navigate through the second innings crisis.
Musheer Khan’s gritty 136, supplemented by crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer (95) and Ajinkya Rahane (73), further solidified Mumbai’s position.
Musheer’s stoic resilience frustrated Vidarbha’s bowlers, allowing Rahane and Iyer to maintain momentum.
Mulani’s brisk half-century extended Mumbai’s lead beyond the 500-run mark.
In stark contrast to their first innings, Vidarbha’s bowlers struggled in the second innings, with Dubey being the lone threat, claiming five wickets.
Despite setting a daunting target of 538 runs, few anticipated Vidarbha’s resistance, yet Wadkar and Dubey admirably defied the odds.
Ultimately, Mumbai’s championship pedigree surfaced when it mattered most, particularly during the initial phases and the final day, thwarting Vidarbha’s aspirations of an improbable turnaround.
Leave a Reply