Domestic Heavyweights Mumbai ended an eight-year drought by winning a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title on Thursday, defeating a tenacious Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of a thrilling summit showdown. The outcome of the final, Mumbai’s 48th in the tournament’s 90-year history, at the famous Wankhede Stadium was settled when the hosts set a goal of 538 runs for the visiting team.
Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar (102) and the unheralded Harsh Dubey (65) held Mumbai at bay for the entire first session as the team resumed on 248 for five, needing another 290 runs to win. The team eventually were bowled out for 368.
In an ebb and flow contest, Mumbai emerged victorious after Vidarbha frustrated them for long periods of play in the final two days.
Wadkar not only led the battle for his team with his first century of the year, but he also scored 600 runs this season. Dubey scored only his second fifty in first-class cricket.
Together, they put on the longest stand of the innings, eating 255 balls in 194 minutes from day four until shortly after the second session resumed on the last day.
Wadkar fell shortly after play started, leg before off Tanush Kotian (4/95), and once the partnership was broken, it was all over for the visitors, who had won two Ranji Trophy titles before losing the final for the third time.
Tushar Deshpande continued to use the short ball to remove Dubey (65 from 128 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Aditya Sarwate, who missed the majority of the game due to a back spasm.
While Kotian cleaned up Yash Thakur (6) for his fourth wicket, Dhawal Kulkarni retired from all forms of cricket with the game’s final wicket, Umesh Yadav, for a fairytale conclusion.
Brief scores: Mumbai 224, 418; Vidarbha 105, 368 in 134.4 overs (Atharva Taide 32, Aman Mokhade 32, Karun Nair 74, Akshay Wadkar 102; Tanush Kotian 4/95) by 169 runs.
