Mumbai win Irani Cup for first time in 27 years after match against Rest of India ends in a draw

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Mumbai became the Irani Cup 2024 champions on the basis of the first innings lead in their drawn match against Rest of India at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, October 5.

Mumbai scored 537 runs in the first innings, and then bundled out Rest of India for 416. Mumbai were batting on 329/8 on the final Day 5 when both the teams agreed to shake hands and end the match in a draw.

This is Mumbai's 15th Irani Cup win and first in 27 years. The match saw Sarfaraz Khan score a double hundred to help India post a mammoth first innings target. Mumbai spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian picked three wickets each in the first innings to give Mumbai the decisive edge.

In the second innings, Mumbai were reduced to 125/6 but Kotian smashed an unbeaten hundred to deny Rest of India another opportunity to bat. Kotian scored 114 not out runs off 150 balls.

Mumbai and Rest of India agreed to a draw as soon as Kotian's batting partner completed his fifty with a four.

Talking about other key performances in the match, Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane scored crucial 97 runs in the first innings after his team was reduced to 37/3. Shreyas Iyer also hit a first innings fifty for Mumbai.

Among Rest of India players, Abhimanyu Easwaran gave Mumbai a major scare with his stunning 191. With the opener in the middle, at one stage it appeared as if Rest of India would surpass Mumbai's 537. Dhruv Jurel (93) was the only other performer with the bat for ROI.

Mukesh Kumar picked a first-inning five-wicket haul against Mumbai, while it was left-arm spinner Saransh Jain who shone with six wickets in the second bowling innings for the side.