Ranji Trophy 2024 Final: Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai showcased an outstanding performance in the final match of the Ranji Trophy 2024, securing a record-extending 42nd title in the prestigious tournament. They achieved victory by defeating Vidarbha with a convincing margin of 169 runs at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday (March 14).
In the match, Vidarbha's captain Akshay Wadkar won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mumbai, batting first, posted a total of 224 runs in their first innings. In reply, Vidarbha struggled, managing only 105 runs in their first innings.
For Mumbai, Prithvi Shaw contributed 11 runs, Bhupen Lalwani scored 18 runs, Ajinkya Rahane made 73 runs, Shreyas Iyer amassed 95 runs, Hardik Tamor scored five runs, Musheer Khan contributed 136 runs, Shardul Thakur failed to score, Tanush Kotian added 13 runs, and Shams Mulani ended with an unbeaten 50 runs. However, Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande were dismissed for zero and two runs, respectively.
Chasing a daunting target of 538 runs, Vidarbha were off to a poor start. Akshay Wadkar played a captain's innings and scored a century. Despite his efforts, Vidarbha fell short and were eventually bowled out for 368 runs, unable to secure a victory.
Dhawal Kulkarni retires
Veteran fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni bid farewell to his career by contributing significantly to Mumbai's victory in yet another trophy. His wealth of experience proved invaluable, particularly in the Ranji Trophy final, where he clinched four crucial wickets. Kulkarni's dismissals included Karun Nair, Atharva Taide, and Aman Mokhade in the first innings, followed by the final wicket of Umesh Yadav in the second innings.
Ranji Trophy 2024 Final: Brief Scores
Mumbai 1st innings: 224/10 (Shardul Thakur 75, Prithvi Shaw 46; Harsh Dubey 3/62, Yash Thakur 3/54)
Vidarbha 1st innings: 105/10 (Yash Rathod 27, Atharva Taide 23; Tanush Kotian 3/7, Dhawal Kulkarni 3/15)
Mumbai 2nd innings: 418/10 (Musheer Khan 136, Shreyas Iyer 95; Harsh Dubey 5/144, Yash Thakur 3/79)
Vidarbha 2nd innings: 368/10 (Akshay Wadkar 102, Harsh Dubey 65; Tanish Kotian 4/95, Musheer Khan 2/48)