Ranji Trophy Final Scorecard, Highlights 2024: Musheer Khan, Tanush Kotian help Mumbai clinch title for 42nd time

Domestic powerhouse Mumbai secured the Ranji Trophy title for the 42nd time in the tournament’s history. The Mumbai team achieved a commendable 169-run victory over the Vidarbha team on the final day of the summit clash in Mumbai on Thursday, March 14.

The Ajinkya Rahane-led team set a mammoth target of 536 runs for Vidarbha in the final innings of the match. Vidarbha resumed the fifth day at the Wankhede Stadium with a score of 248/5. However, they were bowled out for 368 runs, falling short of the run chase.

It marked Mumbai’s first Ranji Trophy title win since the 2015 edition of the event. Young batter Musheer Khan was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant century in the second innings. Tanush Kotian was awarded ‘Player of the Series’ in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24.

Shardul Thakur Hits Half Century In First Innings

The Mumbai team was bowled out for 224 runs after being asked to bat first in the final. Openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani added an 81-run partnership for the first wicket. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals, collapsing to 111/6 in the first innings.

All-rounder Shardul Thakur rescued his state team by forming crucial partnerships with the lower-order batters. Shardul scored 75 runs off 69 deliveries, with the help of eight boundaries and three sixes. Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur each picked up three wickets.

Vidarbha Dismissed For 105 Runs In the First Innings

In response, Vidarbha was dismissed for a mere 105 runs, conceding a substantial lead to the opposition. None of Vidarbha’s batters managed to surpass the 30-run mark. Yash Rathod top-scored for his team, scoring 27 runs off 67 balls with the help of three fours.

Spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, along with pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, claimed three wickets each. Shardul Thakur contributed with one wicket, while Tushar Deshpande remained wicketless.

Musheer Khan, Ajinkya Rahane Rescue Mumbai

Mumbai lost two wickets for just 34 runs in the second innings of the game. However, captain Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan rescued the team with a solid partnership of 130 runs for the third wicket. Rahane scored 73 runs before being dismissed by Harsh Dubey.

Shreyas Iyer showcased his batting prowess with a rapid 95-run innings off 111 balls, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. Musheer Khan, who scored only six runs in the first innings, smashed a remarkable 136 runs, with the help of 10 boundaries.

Akshay Wadkar Smashes Brilliant Century During Final Innings

After a strong display in the second innings, Mumbai reached a total of 418. Atharva Taide (32) and Dhruv Shorey (28) added a 61-run opening partnership during the challenging run chase. However, they were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the team at 64/2.

Captain Akshay Wadkar led from the front for his team and scored 102 runs off 199 balls, including nine boundaries and a six. He notably formed partnerships of 110 runs with Karun Nair and 130 runs with Harsh Dubey for the fifth and sixth wickets, respectively.

Tetiring bowler Dhawal Kulkarni dismissed Umesh Yadav with a full delivery, sealing Mumbai’s triumphant Ranji Trophy campaign. Tanush Kotian impressed with figures of 4/95, while Tushar Deshpande contributed with 2/53.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai 224 (Shardul Thakur 75, Yash Thakur 3-54, Harsh Dubey 3-62)

Vidarbha 105 (Yash Rathod 27, Tanush Kotian 3-7, Shawal Kulkarni 3-15)

Mumbai 418 (Musheer Khan 136, Shreyas Iyer 95, Harsh Dubey 5-144)

Vidarbha 368 (Akshay Wadkar 102, Karun Nair 74,Tanush Kotian 4-95, Musheer Khan 2-48)

Also read: Watch- Tanush Kotian cleans up Dhruv Shorey with an absolute peach during Ranji Trophy 2023-24 final