Mumbai vs Vidarbha: Ranji Trophy Final Preview

Mumbai Ranji Team (Source: Twitter)

In a clash of Maharashtra titans, Mumbai, the 41-time champions, are set to lock horns with Vidarbha, two-time winners, in the 2024 Ranji Trophy final. The showdown will unfold at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, March 10, marking the finale of the domestic season before the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).

In a historical twist, the 2024 Ranji Trophy final marks the first time in 53 years that teams from the same state will contest the summit clash of India’s premier red-ball competition. This rarity, occurring only for the second time in the tournament’s 90-year history, echoes the 1971 final when Mumbai (then Bombay) clashed with the Maharashtra Cricket Team at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

For those unacquainted, Maharashtra, a state in India, boasts three distinct cricket boards and teams within the domestic structure. Although there’s a Maharashtra team, it doesn’t encompass players from Mumbai and Vidarbha regions, which field separate teams. Similarly, Gujarat, another state, presents a similar scenario with three teams. While Gujarat fields its own teams, Baroda city and the Saurashtra region feature distinct teams in domestic cricket.

Also read: Sachin Tendulkar opens up on the importance of Ranji Trophy 

Pitch Report: Wankhede Stadium

Mumbai’s renowned Wankhede Stadium is celebrated for its batter-friendly pitch, historically witnessing high-scoring encounters. Recent matches affirm this trend, with teams accumulating runs briskly. As the game progresses, the pitch is expected to deteriorate, favouring spinners from day 2 onward, making shot-making challenging. The team adept at playing spin is likely to emerge victorious in this crucial fixture.

MUM vs VID Probable Playing XI

Mumbai:

Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai secured a draw against Baroda in the quarter-final clash at the Bandra Kurla (BKC) Complex Cricket Ground. Subsequently, they triumphed over Tamil Nadu at the same venue in the semi-finals, advancing to the summit clash with a resounding victory by an innings and 70 runs.

Predicted XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Bhupen Lalwani, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Musheer Khan, Shams Mulani, Hardik Tamore(w), Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Mohit Avasthi, Tushar Deshpande.

Vidharbha:

Under the captaincy of Akshay Wadekar, Vidarbha have defied expectations, securing a berth in the summit clash. They overcame formidable opponents Karnataka in the quarterfinals by a margin of 127 runs, followed by a 62-run victory against 2022 champions Madhya Pradesh. Both victories were achieved at the historic VCA Stadium in Nagpur.

Predicted XI: Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Yash Rathod, Karun Nair, Akshay Wadkar(w/c), Aditya Sarwate, Yash Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Aditya Thakare, Akshay Wakhare, Aman Mokhade.

MUM vs VID Head-to-Head Record in Ranji Trophy:

MUM vs VID, Ranji Trophy Final Broadcast Details: