OTD | Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy for the 41st time in 2016

Mumbai, led by Aditya Tare, defeated Saurashtra to win a record 41st Ranji title in their 45th Ranji Trophy final. It appears the game would be a rerun of the 2012–13 season finale, in which Mumbai defeated the Gujarat-based squad in three days. Mumbai had the ideal start to the match and chose to bowl first because the toss was in their favour. Mumbai’s pace attack, which included players like Shardul Thakur and Dhawal Kulkarni, was able to take early wickets. 

Kulkarni gave Mumbai the lead by getting rid of Avi Barot in the seventh over, but Shardul also contributed by getting rid of Saurashtra’s other opener, Sagar Joganiya. Kulkarni also ordered the seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara back to the pavilion before Saurashtra realized anything. Arpit Vasavada, batting at number 4, attempted to keep the innings going but got little help from the opposition before Perak Mankad, at number 9, put up a strong effort. 

Together, the two helped Saurashtra go from 108 to 192 in their innings. But as Arpit fell, Saurashtra’s hopes of a resurgence continued to dwindle. Jayadev Unadkat’s blistering 31 off 26 balls ended Saurashtra’s innings at 235. There were early difficulties in the Mumbai reply as well, as both openers left at 23. But Surya Kumar Yadav at number four and Shreyas Iyer at number three, respectively, brought the Mumbai innings out of danger. 

With Siddhesh Lad on the side, Iyer quickly hit his century, while Yadav made 48 before being removed. With Iyers’ 117 and Lad’s 88 as their mainstays, Mumbai ended the innings 136 runs ahead of Saurashtra’s total. In the third innings, it looked like Saurashtra’s hitters were struggling due to the strain of the Ranji Trophy final and Mumbai’s advantage. Furthermore, the Mumbai tempo attack, spearheaded by Shardul, did not err in exploiting this weakness. Mumbai won the 41st Ranji Trophy when Shardul, who struck a five-run wicket, helped his team cut the Saurashtra innings short at just 115 runs. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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