Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande create first-class history by hitting centuries at Number 10 and Number 11 in the Ranji Trophy

Mumbai’s Tushar Deshpande, on Tuesday (February 27), became the first batsman in two decades to score a century while batting at number 11 in first-class cricket. The Mumbai fast-bowler achieved the feat during the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash against Baroda.

Tanush Kotian also scored a century in the same game while batting at number 10 as he and Tushar Deshpande rewrote history books. They became only the second No. 10 and No. 11 pair in First-Class cricket history to score centuries in the same innings.

The duo joined hands in the middle on day four of the game when Mumbai lost their ninth wicket with 337 runs on the board. And they went on to end Baroda’s slim chances of clinching a famous win by sharing a huge stand for the last wicket. Mumbai ended day four on 379 for 9 to extend their lead to 415 runs.

On the ongoing fifth day, Tushar Deshpande and Kotian batted Baroda out of the game by scoring impressive centuries. They added 232 runs for the final wicket before Ninad Rathva dismissed Tushar Deshpande to end Mumbai’s innings for a mammoth 569. Kotian reached his century in 115 deliveries while his partner achieved the feat in 112 balls.

Number 10 batter, Tanush Kotian – 120*(129)
Number 11 batter, Tushar Deshpande – 123(129)

A rare moment in cricket with the last 2 batters of the team has scored hundreds for Mumbai. 🤯👌 pic.twitter.com/I6Ai3gKZuU

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 27, 2024

Kotian remainder unbeaten on  120 off 129 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes. On the other hand, Tushar Deshpande scored 123 off 129 balls with the help of ten fours and eight sixes.

Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian create history:

Tushar Deshpande became the first player from Mumbai to score a century in first-class cricket while batting at No. 11. He also became the first player since the 2004/05 season to achieve the feat. The last player to score a century at No.11 was Pakistan’s Ali Raza in 2004/05.

The last Indian player to achieve the feat was Tamil Nadu’s Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan in the 2000/01 season. Overall, Tushar Deshpande became the 13th player to score a first-class ton at No. 11.

He and Kotian also became just the second pair after Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee to score first-class centuries as No. 10 and No. 11 in the same innings. Sarwate and Banerjee achieved the feat way back in 1946 while playing against Surrey.

No.11 to score First-Class century

1. Thomas Hastings – Victoria v South Australia – 1903

2.Arthur Fielder – Kent v Worcestershire – 1909

3. William Smith – Marylebone Cricket Club v Barbados – 1912/13

4.Arthur Gilligan – Cambridge University v Sussex – 1919

5. Ahsan-ul-Haq…

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Mumbai have all but secured their passage to the semifinal of the ongoing Ranji season. After taking a 36-run lead in the first innings, they have set Baroda an improbable target of 606 runs.