Mumbai Won The Ranji Trophy For The 42nd Time And Received X2 Prize Money

On March 14, another Indian cricket tournament ended: the Ranji Trophy. It lasted 10 weeks: the first match started on March 5, and the final began to be played on March 10.

The Mumbai cricket team has once again proven itself to be the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy. On March 14, in the final game of the tournament, Mumbai defeated their opponents from Vidarbha, winning the elite title for the 42nd time. They account for almost half of the Ranji Trophy victories (since 1934). The victory was even sweeter for Mumbai for two reasons: they won the title for the first time after 8 years of failure, and they received double the prize money.

Victory over Vidarbha in the final: how it happened

In pursuit of a daunting 538-run target, Vidarbha displayed commendable resilience, led by skipper Akshay Wadkar’s century. However, Mumbai’s spinners ultimately proved too much for them, dismissing Vidarbha for 368.

Mumbai’s cohesive bowling attack required 42.3 overs to claim the remaining five wickets, securing their 42nd Ranji Trophy title. As the ninth wicket fell, Tushar Deshpande, in his final game, handed the ball to captain Ajinkya Rahane, setting the stage for Dhawal Kulkarni’s pivotal moment.

In a dramatic collapse, Mumbai’s veteran pacer induced a wild shot from Umesh Yadav, sealing the victory amid jubilant celebrations. The last five wickets tumbled for a mere 15 runs in just 32 balls.

Tanush Kotian awarded the Player of the Series, eventually breached skipper Wadkar’s defenses after his stellar century, breaking a vital partnership with Harsh Dubey. Dubey fell victim to Deshpande’s short-ball tactic, caught brilliantly by Shams Mulani.

Facing discomfort due to a back spasm, Aditya Sarwate offered an easy catch to Rahane at mid-on. Kotian then deceived Yash Thakur with a classic off-spinner’s delivery before Kulkarni wrapped up the game.

The morning session showcased Wadkar and Dubey’s resilience as they frustrated Mumbai’s bowlers, particularly Kotian, who proved to be the most threatening. However, their resistance waned once Deshpande entered the attack after lunch, leading to Vidarbha’s eventual downfall after Wadkar reached his century.

On the concluding day of the match, Vidarbha’s captain Akshay Wadkar, scored 102 runs, and the relatively unknown Harsh Dubey, contributing 65 runs, effectively thwarted Mumbai’s bowling attack throughout the initial session. Vidarbha, resuming their innings at 248 for five, required an additional 290 runs for victory.

Nice bonus: double the prize money

Vidarbha received Rs. 3 crore as the runner-up prize, while Mumbai secured the winner’s purse of Rs. 5 crore ($603700). The decision to double the Ranji Trophy prize money was announced by MCA President Amol Kale and the Apex Council. In addition to the standard prize, Mumbai received an extra Rs. 5 crore. The statement highlighted MCA’s successful year, clinching seven titles and consistently reaching the knockout stages in BCCI tournaments across all age groups.

Mumbai’s head coach, Omkar Salvi, lauded MCA’s decision to double the prize money, emphasizing its significance for young players without alternative employment or income sources. Salvi noted the scarcity of job opportunities and the allure of franchise cricket for aspiring cricketers, making financial support crucial. He expressed gratitude towards both BCCI and MCA for their efforts in providing stability and inspiration to players, enabling them to focus more on the game without financial concerns.

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