On 14th March, 2024 Mumbai won the final match against Vidarbha to secure its 42nd Ranji Trophy title. The match started on 10th March 2024 with Mumbai batting first, scoring 224 runs in the first innings. Shardul Thakur and Prithivi Shaw contributed 75 runs (of 69 balls) and 46 runs (of 63 balls) respectively to achieve the score of 224 runs in the first innings. Vidarbha was only able to score 105 runs in their 1st innings as Tanush Kotian and Dhawal Kulkarni took 3 wickets each and restricted Vidarbha from scoring a big total. In the 2nd innings Musheer Khan from Mumbai scored a brilliant century and contributed 136 runs (of 326 balls) to the Mumbai’s scorecard. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyash Iyer too played impressive knocks scoring 73 runs (of 143 balls) and 95 runs (of 111 balls) respectively, setting up a humongous total of 418 runs. Vidarbha in their second innings fought hard to chase the big total set up by Mumbai. The partnership between Vidarbha Captain Akshay Wadkar and Karun Nair, both scoring 102 runs (of 199 bals) and 74 runs ( of 220 balls), brought Vidarbha back into the game. But Musheer Khan and Tanush Kotian brought break through for Mumbai by taking wickets of Karun Nair and Akshay Wadkar respectively. Soon as these both batsmen departed the Vidarbha team started collapsing. The match to the 5th day due the fighting spirit of the Vidarbha team, but Dhawal Kulkarni bowled the timbers to take Umesh Yadav wicket and clinch victory in the final match.
Key Highlights of the Match:
- Mumbai won its 42nd Ranji Trophy title, ending the trophy drought after 8 years. Last time Mumbai won Ranji trophy in 2014-15 season in Pune by defeating Saurashtra in the finals.
- This is Mumbai’s 26th victory in Mumbai. Mumbai lifted Ranji Trophy 11 times in Wankhede Stadium, 14 times in Brabourne Stadium and 1 time in Bombay Gymkhana Ground.
- Ajinkya Rahane becomes 26th Captain of Mumbai to lift the Trophy.
- Musheer Khan becomes the youngest player (19 years) to get awarded with Player of the Match in Ranji Trophy Finals. Shreyash Iyer and KL Rahul were previously the youngest players (21 years) to win Player of the Match in the finals of Ranji Trophy.
- This match was Dhawal Kulkarni’s last match in Ranji Trophy tournament. Players and fans bid emotional farewell to Dhawal Kulkarni.
- Ajinkya Rahane was awarded the trophy from the hands of Mr. Ashish Shelar (Treasurer of BCCI), Mr. Amol Kale (President of MCA) and Mr. Ajinkya Naik (Secretary of MCA).
- Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) declares a 5 crore cash prize to the team.
- “Nowadays organizations do not offer job opportunities to players, which is why players do not prefer to play league matches. Considering this, the prize money declared by MCA to the players is indeed a valuable decision. This will motivate players to participate and play in national tournaments, while they get financial security.” ~ says Omkar Salvi (Mumbai Team Coach).
- Abhijeet Koltharkar
