Ranji Trophy 2024 Final Mumbai vs Vidarbha: Musheer Khan, Tanush Kotian star as MUM lift 42nd title

Mumbai, Mar 14: In a thrilling conclusion to the Ranji Trophy 2024 season, Mumbai emerged victorious, securing their 42nd title after an eight-year hiatus. The final match against Vidarbha showcased Mumbai's dominance as they triumphed by a commanding margin of 169 runs at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, on Thursday (March 14).

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai's triumph was a testament to their resilience, skill, and collective effort throughout the tournament. Vidarbha put up a valiant effort in the final but Mumbai's relentless pursuit of excellence propelled them to victory.

Mumbai's Record-Extending Triumph

The match was not without its share of drama. Vidarbha's Akshay Wadkar and Harsh Dubey provided some tense moments with their impressive batting display on the final day.

However, Mumbai's bowlers, led by Tanush Kotian, eventually broke through Vidarbha's resistance, sealing the win with Dhawal Kulkarni delivering the final blow.

Mumbai vs Vidarbha Ranji Trophy Final Top Performers

Mumbai's journey to the title was characterised by outstanding performances from key players. In the first innings, all-rounder Shardul Thakur's blistering knock of 75 salvaged Mumbai from a precarious position, setting the tone for their eventual victory. The bowlers also played a pivotal role, bundling Vidarbha out for a mere 105 runs in their first innings.

The second innings saw Mumbai's batting lineup rise to the occasion, with U-19 star Musheer Khan leading the charge with a gritty century. Captain Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Shams Mulani also made significant contributions, further solidifying Mumbai's dominance.

In the final innings, Mumbai's bowlers once again displayed their prowess, with Tanush Kotian leading the charge with four crucial wickets. Musheer Khan and Dhawal Kulkarni provided ample support, ensuring Vidarbha fell short of their target.

Musheer Khan Steals The Show In Ranji Trophy 2024 Final

Musheer Khan's stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award, reflecting on the importance of his innings in Mumbai's victory. Musheer - the India U-19 star - faced 326 balls en route to his knock of 136 in the second innings for Mumbai. Captain Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Mulani scored 73, 95 and 50 respectively as Mumbai ended up posting 418 and took an overall lead of 537.

Meanwhile, Tanush Kotian's consistent contributions throughout the season earned him the Player of the Series accolade, highlighting Mumbai's collective effort in their title-winning campaign.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed his gratitude towards Vidarbha for their spirited fight throughout the match. He credited Mumbai's success to the team's collective effort and emphasised the importance of creating the right culture and attitude within the squad.

"Last year, we didn't qualify by 1 run, that really hurt us. We knew we had the talent and individuals, but what is important was creating the right culture and attitude. Would like to thank MCA for their support as well. Ups and downs as a part of the game, I never think about myself, it is always team first.

"I'm the happiest that we are champions despite me being the lowest run scorer for the team this year. This is a phase every player goes through, you need to keep working hard. Tonight, we celebrate. We enjoy the win because this has been a long, hard season," Rahane said during the post-match presentation.