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Spectacular Sixes by Shardul Thakur Revive Mumbai Innings in Ranji Trophy Final Against Vidarbha

On the first day of the Ranji Trophy final, veteran combo Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane’s run drought persisted, but Shardul Thakur’s versatility as an all-rounder enabled hosts Mumbai to rally against a brave Vidarbha. In addition to giving Mumbai’s subpar first-innings total of 224 some semblance of respectability with a counterpunching 75 off just 69 balls, Thakur also removed seasoned opener Dhruv Shorey (0) with an angled delivery that gave him a positive DRS result.

Thakur attacked the Vidarbha bowlers right away, smashing an explosive 75 off just 69 deliveries. Eight boundaries and three tower sixes, including two stunning straight hits that displayed his perfect timing and power, punctuated his innings.

Atharva Taide (21 not out) and night watchman Aditya Thakare at the crease meant that Vidarbha were 31/3 at stumps, needing another 193 runs to close the first innings.

Medium bowler Dhawal Kulkarni, in his final first-class match of his career, bowled his usual late outswingers, with Test triple centurion Karun Nair (0) and Aman Mokhade (8) nicking it to Hardik Tamore behind stumps.

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The 41-time champions fell from 81/0 to 111/6 on either side of the lunch break in a stunning collapse that saw Mumbai’s finest players, Rahane and Iyer, removed for identical scores of 7.

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