Sports

Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma Lead Congratulations as Mumbai Clinches 42nd Ranji Trophy

Mumbai overcame Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of the competition to win their record-tying 42nd championship trophy on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium, ending their eight-year Ranji trophy drought. Mumbai’s victory was a worthy memorial to the legendary record of domestic cricket bowler Dhawal Kulkarni. Kulkarni was playing his farewell match, and his performance led the bowlers.

Mumbai’s fast bowler Tushar Deshpande and spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian were instrumental in destroying Vidarbha’s batting order, dismissing them for 368 in an extraordinary 538-run chase. Thanks to a 130-run sixth-wicket stand between Akshay Wadkar and Harsh Dubey, Vidarbha’s skipper Akshay Wadkar and debutant Harsh Dubey resisted Mumbai’s bowlers in a wicket-less morning session, but they still had 290 runs to make on the last day of their 538-run chase.

Day five saw Wadkar fall in front of the wicket by Kotian, being the first wicket to fall. Wadkar’s 102-run innings kept Vidarbha in the match, but after he was removed, Mumbai had the upper hand. But Vidarbha’s chances of capturing a third First-Class title were dashed as they collapsed in the next few overs. Tanush Kotian was brilliant with the ball, taking four wickets, including the great Wadkar. By the conclusion of the day, Deshpande had claimed two wickets.

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SOCIAL MEDIA REACTIONS

Many congratulations to @MumbaiCricAssoc on winning their 42nd Ranji Trophy! Vidarbha's resilience added to the spectacle, especially Karun, Akshay & Harsh, who batted extremely well and made the match very interesting.
Mumbai's bowlers kept bowling relentlessly, and finally the… pic.twitter.com/hQb0D2TIUg
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 14, 2024

Appropriately, Mumbai cricket legend Kulkarni dealt the final punch, bowling Umesh Yadav to secure the win and send his beloved side in style. Kulkarni’s heartfelt farewell, accompanied by his skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, and the enthusiastic Wankhede crowd, signaled the end of an era. He left as a genuine domestic legend, having been instrumental in the history of Mumbai cricket.

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