Mumbai’s relentless lower-order onslaught on day two proved decisive as they crushed Tamil Nadu by an innings and 70 runs in the Ranji Trophy semi-final at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground.
After Mumbai’s first innings ended at 378, thanks to a 272-run partnership between Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande, Tamil Nadu’s top-order collapsed once again. Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi dismissed Sai Sudharsan, N. Jagadeesan, and Washington Sundar cheaply.
B. Indrajith provided some resistance with a 70-run knock, but his dismissal to Avasthi ended Tamil Nadu’s hopes of making Mumbai bat again. The last five wickets fell for just nine runs, with Shams Mulani and Kotian sharing the spoils.
Mulani finished with figures of 4/53, while Kotian took 2/18. Shardul Thakur was named Player-of-the-Match for his all-round performance, which included a 109-run knock in the first innings and two wickets in the second.
Mumbai’s victory marks their 48th appearance in the Ranji Trophy final, a testament to their dominance in Indian domestic cricket. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, will be left to rue their missed opportunities and inconsistent batting performances.
