Mumbai and Vidarbha reached finals of Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Previous year winner, Saurashtra could not repeat the performance. Mumbai has won 41 titles before this year’s tournament. Vidarbha have won 201-18 and 2018-19 tournaments back to back. Mumbai wanted to win this for their retiring great domestic pace bowler Dhawal Kulkarni.
Vidarbha have won the toss and elected to field first. Shardul Thakur’s 75 has helped Mumbai to score 224 runs in the first innings. In reply, Vidarbha got bowled out for 105 runs. Tanush Kotian(3/7), Shams Mulani(3/32), Dhawal Kulkarni(3/15) and Shardul Thakur(1/22) took wickets for Mumbai.
In the second innings, 19-year-old Musheer Khan scored 136 runs and Ajinkya Rahane(73), Shreyas Iyer(95) assisted him. Shams Mulani(50) took the score past 400 runs and Mumbai got all-out for 418 runs. Harsh Dubey(5/144) took most wickets for Vidarbha. In the chase of 538 runs, Vidarbha batters tried their best to give Mumbai competition.
Karun Nair(74), Captain Akshay Wadkar(102) and Harsh Dubey(65) valiantly tried their best to give Vidarbha, a chance against a Mount Everest kind of a target. Vidarbha managed to score a very impressive 368 before retiring Dhawal Kulkarni took his last wicket for Mumbai and registered a memorable win for his team.
Tanush Kotian(4/95) showcased his all-round ability in this match, too. He has been adjugded Player of the Series for his 502 runs with bat and 29 wickets with ball. Young Musheer Khan has been adjudged Player of the Match for his century and 2/48. Mumbai have won their 42nd Ranji Trophy title and after a gap of 8 years.
Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma bowed to Dhawal Kulkarni for his consistent efforts over the years for Mumbai. Their gesture touched the pace bowler and he looked contend with his career giving way to the youngsters. He took 281 wickets for Mumbai in First Class cricket with 15 – 5 wicket hauls and got a dream send-off in his final match.