Mumbai defeats Vidarbha by 169 runs in the final to win the Ranji Trophy for the 42nd time

native heavyweights On Thursday, Mumbai broke an eight-year drought by winning the 42nd Ranji Trophy, a record-extending tournament, by defeating a resolute Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of an intense summit match.

The hosts set a 538-run target for the visiting squad, which effectively sealed Mumbai’s destiny in this historic Wankhede Stadium final, their 48th in the 90-year history of the game.

Vidarbha started on 248 for five, needing another 290 runs to win, but skipper Akshay Wadkar (102) and the unsung hero Harsh Dubey (65), held Mumbai at bay for the whole first session. In the end, the side was bowled out for 368.

Mumbai emerged victorious in an erratic match as Vidarbha kept them off the scoreboard for extended stretches of play during the final two days.

With his first century of the year and his 600th run of the season, Wadkar spearheaded the battle for his team. Dubey only mentioned his first-class career’s second fifty.

Between them, they created the longest partnership of the innings, going through 255 balls in 194 minutes from the fourth day till just after the second session began on the last day.

After play restarted, Wadkar was out soon after, falling leg before Tanush Kotian (4/95). Once the partnership was broken, it was all over quickly for the visitors, who had now lost the Ranji Trophy final three times after winning two times.

Tushar Deshpande kept using the short ball to get rid of Aditya Sarwate, who was sidelined for much of the match due to a back spasm, and Dubey (65 off 128 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s).

While Kotian dismissed Yash Thakur (6) for his fourth wicket, Dhawal Kulkarni concluded his career in cricket by taking the game’s last wicket, Umesh Yadav, for a happily ever after.

Quick scores

Mumbai: 418 & 224

Vidarbha: Atharva Taide 32, Aman Mokhade 32, Karun Nair 74, Akshay Wadkar 102; Tanush Kotian 4/95): 105 & 368 in 134.4 overs, winning by 169 runs.