In a thrilling finale at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, domestic heavyweights Mumbai brought an end to their eight-year barren spell by clinching the Ranji Trophy title for a record-extending 42nd time. The victory came after a hard-fought battle against Vidarbha, with Mumbai emerging triumphant by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of the summit clash.
The fate of the final, Mumbai’s 48th appearance in the tournament’s 90-year history, was sealed as the hosts set a daunting target of 538 runs for the visiting Vidarbha team. Despite Vidarbha’s resilient efforts, led by captain Akshay Wadkar’s commendable century (102) and Harsh Dubey’s gritty 65, they fell short and were eventually bowled out for 368.
Throughout the match, Mumbai faced stiff resistance from Vidarbha, particularly during the last two days of play. Wadkar’s determined century, his first of the year, and Dubey’s valiant fifty posed significant challenges for Mumbai’s bowlers. The duo’s partnership, the longest of the innings, lasted 194 minutes and consumed 255 balls, showcasing Vidarbha’s resilience.
However, Mumbai’s persistence paid off when Wadkar was dismissed shortly after the resumption of play on the final day, followed by a quick succession of wickets. Tanush Kotian’s impressive bowling performance, claiming four crucial wickets, played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s victory.
With this triumph, Mumbai ended Vidarbha’s hopes of securing their third Ranji Trophy title, having previously won two. The victory marked a memorable return to glory for Mumbai, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in Ranji Trophy history.
