Nagpur: Akshay Wadkar-led Vidarbha avenge last year's final defeat as they beat 42-time champions Mumbai in the semi-final of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season by 80 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Jamtha here on Friday, February 21.
The domestic giants Mumbai ended their eight-year trophy drought, the first title since 2015-16, by lifting a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, beating a valiant Vidarbha by 169 runs on the fifth and final day of a thoroughly engrossing summit clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium at the 2023-24 season. This will be Vidarbha's fourth appearance, having won in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
WICKET! Over: 97.5 Mohit Avasthi 34(43) lbw Harsh Dubey, Mumbai 325/10 #VIDvMUM #RanjiTrophy #Elite-SF2
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 21, 2025
Cut to the semi-final, it was Vidarbha who dominated the show right from the beginning and stormed into their second successive final. Vidarbha will now take on Kerala in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final, scheduled to play on Wednesday, February 26 at Nagpur and will have home advantage.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Harsh Dubey picked up a fifer in the second innings after taking two scalps in the first innings. Dubey also has a chance to enter the record books as the leading wicket-taker in a single Ranji Trophy season.
A special moment for Kerala 👌
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 21, 2025
They have qualified for the final for the first time in the #RanjiTrophy 👏
It's Vidarbha vs Kerala in the final showdown 🔥
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/kisimA9o9w#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #GUJvKER | #SF1 pic.twitter.com/VCasFTzbB7
The moment Vidarbha got the first-innings lead Mumbai always had a tough route. Mumbai was chasing history - the highest successful chase in the tournament's history. They lost three early wickets in the chase and three quick wickets this morning as well, nullifying their chances to emerge triumphant in the game and secure the spot in the final to defend the title.
However, all-rounder Shardul Thakur and Shams Mulani made a great comeback and delayed the inevitable. When they were going you couldn't rule out a Mumbai win. A needless runout ended that fighting 103-run stand, thanks to a brilliant direct hit from Danish Malewar when had only one stump to aim at from the side angle. Shardul was castled by Yash Thakur. Tanush Kotian couldn't carry on long and the last wicket stand did frustrate with a fifty partnership but Harsh closed out the game nicely.
Parth Rekhade's three-wicket over in Mumbai's first innings was a game-changer in the game that powered his side to restrict Mumbai (270) below their first innings total of 323 and take a massive 113-run lead. However, it was a collective effort from the bowlers.
They are up against Kerala who are all set to play their first-ever Ranji Trophy final in the tournament history. They dramatically managed to take a 2-run lead against Gujarat in the first innings after the ball was caught off the short leg fielder's helmet when the batter smashed it. Their entry to the semi-final was through a 1-run first innings lead in the quarter-final.
"We tried our best. No one likes to lose but congratulations to Vidarbha for making it to the final for the second time in a row. We made a great comeback with the lower order. I am proud of the entire team," said Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai captain.
"The first innings lead is very important. The pitch crumbles, cracks open up and the temps go up as well. So we wanted to bat long in the first innings. We lost early wickets and then our partnership was crucial as well. I was confident that he (Harsh) wouldn't bowl loose balls so I could keep an extra fielder close. We are confident of doing well in the final," said winning skipper Akshay Wadkar.
Mumbai 270 and 83 for 3 (Anand 27*, Dube 12*, Dubey 2-26) trail Vidarbha 383 and 292 (Rathod 151, Mulani 6-85) by 323 runs
