Cricket

Ajinkya Rahane, despite enduring a disappointing run with the bat, expressed immense joy at leading Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title at the Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai's 169-run victory over Vidarbha marked a significant triumph for the team.Rahane's personal performance in the Ranji season was underwhelming, with his 214 runs placing him ninth among Mumbai's run-getters. However, his crucial 73 in the second innings of the final, along with a 130-run partnership with centurion Musheer Khan, proved decisive in securing the victory."Even though I am the lowest scorer for my team, I am the happiest to lift the trophy," Rahane said at the post-match presentation. "As a player, you will have ups and downs. It's about creating an atmosphere in the dressing room and enjoying each other's success. This is a special moment."Rahane attributed Mumbai's success to the positive culture and attitude fostered within the team. "Last year, we failed to qualify for the knock-outs by one run. We had to create the right culture and attitude in the team. We created a fitness culture and I would thank MCA for providing all the support," he added.Rahane praised Vidarbha's fighting spirit throughout the final. "I want to appreciate Vidarbha's fight. Chasing 538, giving up is easy but they played really well."Player of the Match Musheer Khan and Player of the Tournament Tanush Kotian expressed gratitude for Rahane's guidance. "I enjoyed batting with him," said Musheer. "During our partnership, he would very nicely explain what he wanted from me."Kotian credited Rahane for helping him unlock his batting potential, which resulted in over 500 runs. "Last year I got a bit more confidence in my batting and I worked hard with my father. Ajju dada (that's how youngsters in Mumbai team address him) also helped me a lot," Kotian said.Rahane acknowledged the contributions of retiring veteran Dhawal Kulkarni, who has played six finals for Mumbai and won five Ranji Trophy titles. "We have played for Mumbai since our U-14 days. We toured for India U-19 (New Zealand). Whatever I say in his praise would be less. His contribution is laudable. Off-field experience sharing and not also with those not in team."

Mumbai, the undisputed powerhouse of Indian domestic cricket, has reclaimed its throne as Ranji Trophy champions after an eight-year title drought. In a thrilling culmination to the tournament at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai defeated a resilient Vidarbha by 169 runs on Thursday.The victory marks Mumbai's record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, further cementing their dominance in the tournament's history. The hosts set a daunting target of 538 runs for Vidarbha, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar showcased remarkable resilience with his first century of the year, while Harsh Dubey contributed a vital fifty. However, Mumbai's relentless bowling attack, led by Tanush Kotian's four-wicket haul and Tushar Deshpande's crucial breakthroughs, proved too strong.Mumbai's triumph is a testament to their unwavering determination and the depth of their squad. Veteran cricketer Dhawal Kulkarni, who bid farewell to all forms of the game with the final wicket of the match, played a pivotal role in the victory.For Vidarbha, despite their commendable effort, it was a case of heartbreak as they succumbed to defeat in the Ranji Trophy final for the third time after clinching two titles.Mumbai's Ranji victory marks a triumphant return to the pinnacle of domestic cricket, ending their eight-year wait for glory. It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Mumbai cricket team and a testament to the talent and dedication of their players.

Mumbai's Musheer Khan has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the youngest Mumbai batsman to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final, breaking the record previously held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.The 19-year-old left-handed batsman showcased his talent and potential during the final against Vidarbha, scoring a remarkable 136 off 326 deliveries, adorned with 10 boundaries. Musheer's stellar performance played a pivotal role in propelling Mumbai to a commanding lead of over 500 runs in the final.Musheer's journey to this historic achievement has been marked by consistent performances throughout the Ranji Trophy. In the crucial semi-final encounter against Tamil Nadu, he contributed a vital 55, setting the stage for Mumbai's victory with his resilient batting.Prior to his exploits in the Ranji Trophy, Musheer showcased his talent on the international stage, delivering notable performances in the Under-19 World Cup and Youth ODIs. With an impressive track record and promising potential, Musheer Khan emerges as a bright prospect for Indian cricket, following in the footsteps of his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan, who recently made his international debut with a string of impressive performances against England.

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian Test debutant Sarfaraz Khan, has etched his name in the annals of Ranji Trophy history by surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record as the youngest Mumbai batter to score a century in the tournament's final.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Musheer, aged 19 years and 14 days, crafted a masterful knock of 136 off 326 deliveries, adorned with 10 boundaries. His monumental innings propelled Mumbai to a commanding 500-plus run lead.Musheer's achievement is even more remarkable considering that the iconic Tendulkar, who was present at the stands, was just under 22 years old when he scored twin centuries in the 1994-95 season final against Punjab.The 19-year-old's exquisite ton came off 255 balls, showcasing his patience and technical prowess. His brother, Sarfaraz, took to Instagram to express his pride and admiration for Musheer's performance.Musheer's journey to this historic moment has been marked by consistent brilliance. In the semifinal against Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial role with a valuable 55 off 131 balls, paving the way for Mumbai's innings and 70-run victory.During the quarterfinal against Baroda, Musheer converted his maiden first-class century into a double ton, smashing 203 off 357 balls in the first innings. He followed it up with a quickfire 33 off 25 balls in the second innings, helping Mumbai secure a draw and advance on the basis of their first-innings lead.In three matches so far, Musheer has amassed 433 runs at an astonishing average of 108.25, including two centuries and a half-century. His best score remains his 203* against Baroda.Musheer's talent extends beyond batting. In the U19 World Cup tournament, he played seven matches, scoring 360 runs at an average of 60, with a strike rate of over 98. He scored two centuries and a fifty, ending as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. His best score was an impressive 131.Additionally, Musheer has played 14 Youth ODIs, scoring 554 runs at an average of 61.55, with two centuries and two fifties. With 13 wickets, he is also a useful spin-bowling all-rounder.Musheer's achievements have not gone unnoticed. His elder brother, Sarfaraz, recently made his much-anticipated international debut against England, scoring twin half-centuries in his first Test match.The Khan brothers are a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket. Musheer's record-breaking performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a harbinger of his potential to become a future star for both Mumbai and India.

Shreyas Iyer's Back Injury Flares Up, Threatening IPL ParticipationMumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer's worst fears have materialized as his back injury has resurfaced during the Ranji Trophy final. The recurring injury, which required surgery last year, now casts doubt on his participation in the initial stage of IPL 2024, where he captains the Kolkata Knight Riders.During his 95-run knock in the second innings at the Wankhede Stadium, Iyer experienced back spasms and sought treatment from the Mumbai physio twice. On Day Four of the final, he was unable to take the field due to the pain.Sources close to the situation have revealed that Iyer underwent a scan of his back at a hospital. The results indicate that the same back injury has aggravated, making it unlikely that he will play on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final."It's not looking good. It's the same back injury which has got aggravated. It's unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL," a source told TOI.Iyer had previously missed two Ranji Trophy matches this season due to back pain. During the recent Test series against England, he informed the Indian team management about the recurring injury. However, after being cleared by the National Cricket Academy's medical team, the BCCI denied him a central contract due to his absence from Ranji Trophy matches.The IPL is set to commence on March 22, with KKR playing their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata on March 23. Iyer's injury is a major concern for KKR, who will be without their captain for the crucial initial matches of the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer after the star batter's scintillating 95 for Mumbai in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Iyer, who was dismissed for just seven in the first innings, smashed 10 fours and three sixes during his whirlwind knock.Pandit, who will join forces with Iyer during IPL 2024, hailed the KKR skipper for his fearlessness and compared his knock to the World Cup semi-final century. "It was an important innings for Shreyas and he delivered it when it mattered. Although in a different format, his innings resembled the one in the World Cup semifinal here at the Wankhede against New Zealand (he had scored 105 off 70 deliveries then). He is playing good cricket and it was bad luck that he could not score big runs in the last few games," Pandit told Cricbuzz."The fact that he smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes is an indication that he is playing fearlessly and is not changing his style of play. The innings will stand him in good stead," he added.For the unversed, Iyer had smashed 105 off just 70 balls in the ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, also at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.After the Ranji Trophy final, Iyer will associate with Chandrakant Pandit at KKR, having missed the last season of IPL due to an injury.Pandit also hailed Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane for his knock in the second innings, saying that the veteran played the best knock for his side. "I liked his (Musheer) approach and his partnership with Iyer may have made things difficult for Vidrabha. But the best knock I think came from Ajinkya (73). He scored those runs when Umesh Yadav was in the midst of a good spell. Now with so many runs on the board, it will be very difficult for Vidarbha," he concluded.

Mumbai's dominance in the Ranji Trophy final has left Vidarbha facing an insurmountable task. After Mumbai's batting collapse on Monday, Vidarbha's batters failed to capitalize on Tuesday, leaving them with a daunting target of 528 runs.Experts believe that "big stage anxiety" has played a significant role in Vidarbha's underwhelming performance. Chandrakant Pandit and Sulakshan Kulkarni, former Vidarbha coaches, attribute the team's struggles to the pressure of playing in a high-stakes final."Players know that it's not often that one gets such a big stage," said Pandit. "At the back of the mind, players keep thinking about all this. This leads to anxiety and eventually numb nerves."Kulkarni echoed Pandit's assessment, stating that Vidarbha appeared "overawed by the big stage." He also criticized the team's decision to not bat first, which he believes deprived their bowlers of much-needed rest."On Day 1, it was a good pitch for batting," said Kulkarni. "Batting first would have given the Vidarbha bowlers more time to rest."Vidarbha's plan throughout the season has been to bat first and post a big total, but they deviated from this strategy in the final. Kulkarni believes this was a mistake, as it put additional pressure on their bowlers."They made a great comeback after being bowled out for 170 in the first innings against MP in the semifinal," said Kulkarni. "Even more reason they should have batted first here too."With Mumbai's bowlers in top form, Vidarbha's chances of chasing down the target appear slim. The team will need a historic effort to overcome the deficit and claim their first Ranji Trophy title.

Mumbai's dominance continued in the Ranji Trophy final as they piled up a mammoth 537-run lead over Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. U19 star Musheer Khan's century and Shreyas Iyer's half-century were the cornerstones of Mumbai's imposing total of 418.Resuming on 141/2, Mumbai lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane early for 73, but Musheer and Iyer steadied the innings. Iyer, in particular, played aggressively, reaching his half-century in just 62 balls. The duo put on a 168-run partnership before Iyer fell for 95.Musheer continued to anchor the innings, reaching his second first-class century in 255 balls. He was eventually dismissed for 136, but Shams Mulani's unbeaten 50 ensured Mumbai reached a formidable total.Harsh Dubey was the pick of the bowlers for Vidarbha, taking 5/144, while Yash Thakur claimed 3/79.Chasing a daunting target of 538, Vidarbha openers Atharva Taide and Dhruv Shorey negotiated the remaining overs without losing a wicket, leaving them with a mountain to climb on the final day.

Ravichandran Ashwin Highlights Ajinkya Rahane's Batting Technique in Ranji Trophy FinalIndian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about Ajinkya Rahane's batting technique during the ongoing Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Vidarbha. Rahane survived a close LBW appeal when a delivery from Umesh Yadav seamed back and hit his pads. Replays showed that the decision would have been umpire's call, but Ashwin believes Rahane's head position and footwork contributed to his discomfort."We have to talk about Ajinkya Rahane's head position," Ashwin wrote on Instagram. "When the head falls over, it becomes difficult to play deliveries that cut in. When your head falls over, the delivery that seams in will always trouble you. Ajinkya will have to be wary of that."Former Bengal cricketer Joydeep Mukherjee also noticed that Rahane's foot position indicated he was expecting the ball to come straight to his bat. "The foot pointing towards mid-off tells me that he was playing for the ball going straight and not jagging back otherwise it would be a lot straighter," Mukherjee said.Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer was in fine form for Mumbai, scoring 95 off 111 balls. His celebration after reaching his half-century went viral on social media. Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was in attendance during the match, providing motivation for Iyer to find his form.