Cricket

Mumbai's dominance continued on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy clash against arch-rivals Maharashtra at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Bandra-Kurla Complex. The defending champions, led by a clinical bowling performance and a stellar century from Ayush Mhatre, took a firm grip on the contest.The Mumbai bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, and Royston Dias, wreaked havoc on the Maharashtra batting lineup. Thakur's early dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sachin Dhas set the tone for the day, while Avasthi's three-wicket haul, including the crucial scalp of Ankeet Bawane, further dented Maharashtra's hopes. Shams Mulani wrapped up the innings with a quickfire three-wicket burst, dismissing Hitesh Walunj, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Pradeep Dadhe in quick succession.Maharashtra's meager total of 126 was chased down with ease by Mumbai. Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Tamore fell cheaply, but Mhatre, the 19-year-old opener, played a magnificent innings to guide his team to victory. He scored an unbeaten 127, hitting 17 fours and 3 sixes, and shared crucial partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane (99) and Shreyas Iyer (45*).Mhatre's century was a testament to his talent and composure. He played with maturity beyond his years, driving the Maharashtra bowlers with panache and punishing any loose deliveries. His innings was a major factor in Mumbai's dominant performance on the opening day.With a lead of 94 runs, Mumbai is in a commanding position heading into the second day. Maharashtra will need to produce a much-improved performance with the bat to stay in contention.

Samad Fallah, Maharashtra's legendary left-arm swing bowler, has bid farewell to professional cricket, leaving an indelible mark on the domestic circuit. With 272 Ranji Trophy wickets, Fallah stands as the state's highest wicket-taker, amassing 287 first-class wickets in 78 matches at an impressive average of 28.48.Fallah's impact extended beyond the Ranji Trophy, as he claimed 75 List A wickets and 62 T20 wickets. His pivotal role in Maharashtra's sole senior-level silverware since 1940-41 remains etched in the annals of the state's cricket history. In the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) in March 2010, Fallah's match-winning four-wicket haul propelled Maharashtra to victory.Fallah's last official match was a Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-overs) game for Uttarakhand in March 2021. After a brief stint with Uttarakhand, he returned to Maharashtra and expressed his availability for selection in all three formats. However, fate had other plans, and he was unable to resume his playing career.Now 39 years old, Fallah has transitioned into the role of head coach for Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League. His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary journey that began in an unconventional manner. Fallah never played representative age-group cricket, but his eye-catching performances in tennis-ball tournaments paved the way for his entry into club cricket.Fallah's Maharashtra debut at 22 was a resounding success, as he claimed a match-winning six-wicket haul against Himachal Pradesh in November 2007. He quickly established himself as the spearhead of Maharashtra's attack, consistently taking 20-plus wickets in every Ranji season from 2007-08 to 2014-15.During his peak, Maharashtra boasted one of the most formidable seam attacks in Indian domestic cricket. Fallah, Anupam Sanklecha, Domnic Muthuswami, and Shrikant Mundhe formed a formidable quartet that led the team to the Ranji final in 2013-14 and the semi-finals in 2014-15. Fallah's crowning moment came in the semi-final against Bengal in Indore in January 2014, where he claimed 7 for 58 on the first morning, bowling Bengal out for a paltry 114.Fallah's unconventional approach to bowling was as unique as his path to professional cricket. He relished long spells of nine or ten overs, often varying his run-up and approach to the crease. His ability to unsettle batters with his zigzag run-up and unpredictable angles made him a formidable opponent.At the time of his retirement, Fallah stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy among left-arm fast bowlers, trailing only Jaydev Unadkat (316). Hiralal Gaekwad, who played from 1941 to 1963, claimed 278 wickets, but he bowled a combination of left-arm spin and seam.Samad Fallah's retirement marks the end of an era for Maharashtra cricket. His legacy as a prolific wicket-taker and a key figure in the state's only senior-level silverware will forever be etched in the hearts of Maharashtra's cricket enthusiasts.