Sachin Tendulkar makes 'ordinary' remark on Ajinkya Rahane's Mumbai during Ranji Trophy final 

The god of cricket – Sachin Tendulkar had his say about Mumbai’s batting performance on day 1 of the Ranji Trophy 2024 final against Vidarbha here at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Tendulkar was closely watching over the final showdown from his residence and he had a harsh choice of words when describing the 41-time champions’ batting performance.

Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane, batted first after losing the toss to Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar. The opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani gave Mumbai a positive start as the duo stood for an 81-run partnership before Lalwani walked off from the crease for 37. He will be gutted to have lost his wicket to Yash Thakur with an easy caught behind.

Inside Mumbai’s turbulent batting performance

Then 3 overs and 8 runs later, Shaw joined Lalwani in the dressing room through a clean bowled from pacer Harsh Dubey who denied the right-hander from a half-century by just 4 runs. Then started the sudden, unexpected, and tragic top-middle order collapse.

Number 3 batter Musheer Khan who had a wonderful season previously, became Harsh Dubey’s 2nd scalp of the day through LBW for 7 runs. Then it was up to captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer who was recently declined a central contract by BCCI, to steady Mumbai’s crumbling ship.

However, both of them shared 14 runs combined with Rahane getting out for 7 off 35 while Iyer departed for 7 off 15. Number 6 and 7 batters Hardik Tamore and Shams Mulani got out cheaply as well for 5 and 13. It was starting to look as if Mumbai wouldn’t even touch the 200 mark but Shardul Thakur came up with an inspiring performance.

He scored a hard-fought 75 off 69 on a Wankhede track that has a good covering of grass. The Mumbai top-order were having difficulty in reading the bounce of the ball and batting against the new ball was specifically a tough job. But nonetheless, Shardul’s effortful knock helped Mumbai post 224 on the board. The onus is now on the bowlers to make sure they restrict Vidarbha for as low as possible.

Sachin Tendulkar reacts to Mumbai’s shambolic batting performance

Former India and Mumbai batter Sachin Tendulkar took to X (formerly Twitter) and gave his honest reaction on Mumbai’s batting performance. He noted stated that home team batters had a decent start early but Sachin Tendulkar was seemingly disappointed with the way Mumbai’s top-middle order batted, calling it ordinary.

Sachin Tendulkar appreciated Vidarbha pacers for keeping things simple and claimed that there are going to be a lot more exciting sessions in the match. Lastly, Tendulkar gave his assessment of the Wankhede track, believing it would be favorable for the spinners as the game goes on.

“After a good start, the @MumbaiCricAssoc batters played some ordinary cricket. On the other hand, Vidarbha have kept things simple and put Mumbai under pressure. I am sure there will be many exciting sessions in this game as the match unfolds.”

“The wicket has grass cover, but the ball will turn and assist spinners as the game progresses. Vidarbha will be happy with the way they got back in the game after a solid partnership by the Mumbai openers. The first session belonged to Vidarbha,” Sachin Tendulkar wrote on X. 

After a good start, the @MumbaiCricAssoc batters played some ordinary cricket. On the other hand, Vidarbha have kept things simple and put Mumbai under pressure. I am sure there will be many exciting sessions in this game as the match unfolds. The wicket has grass cover, but the… pic.twitter.com/vVLI4QRGPP

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 10, 2024