Madhya Pradesh defeated Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 final.
Digital Desk: Madhya Pradesh won their first Ranji Trophy after defeating 41-time champions Mumbai by six wickets at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Despite losing four wickets in the second session of Day 5 of the summit clash, star batters Rajat Patidar and Shubham Sharma halted a potential slide to help their team cross the finish line, allowing them to write history in India's premier domestic tournament.
Mumbai resumes from their overnight score of 113/2, as they lost quick wickets in an attempt to play aggressively, set a second innings total of 269 runs.
The Prithvi Shaw-led team set a target of 108 runs for MP, and the Mumbai bowlers got off to a flying start. Senior pro-Dhawal Kulkarni took opener Yash Dubey's middle-stump for a ride before Shams Mulani - the season's leading wicket-taker - entered the fray, dismissing Himanshu Mantri at (37) and debutant Parth Sahani at (5).
As per, former MP player Devendra Bundela's statement, "Madhya Pradesh has reached a significant milestone. Everyone deserves credit for the level of cooperation demonstrated by this team. MP deserves a standing ovation for overcoming all obstacles to win the trophy, from coach Chandrakant Pandit to every squad member. In critical situations, everyone batted, and bowlers stood tall in support of their teammates. It has been a season of the group effort. By far the best team in the tournament,"
Many MP fans would have had flashbacks to the 1999 Ranji final with the fallout on the cards. MP was nervous when Sharma called Patidar for a risky single by poking Tanush Kotian's delivery back to him. But, with a quick pick-up and throw to the wicket-end, keeper Kotian did everything right. However, luck was on MP's side as the ball struck Patidar's back, saving him from a run-out.
After an unfinished business in the 1999 Ranji finals, when Karnataka defeated a Chandrakant Pandit-led MP due to a batting collapse on the final day, MP had their moment of glory after a 23-year wait, this time with Pandit as a coach. Pandit now has six Ranji titles in his illustrious coaching career, as his legend grows in the domestic circuit.
After the memorable victory, MP coach Chandrakant Pandit told host broadcasters, "We had suffered a loss here 23 years prior. After 23 years, God has graciously allowed us to prevail. Today has been emotional for me. It is emotional to come back and win after 23 years after having lost as captain. I'm always looking for a difficult position with underperforming clubs with talented young players. In that state, I want to foster a culture of cricket."
He continued his statement, "I played six years with MP, so I was familiar with the atmosphere. I didn't think twice when the offer came in March because I had left something 23 years prior. We visited the same location again after a 23-year absence—call it coincidence or fate. I try to instil in them whatever the game requires. Aditya Shrivastava has been an exceptional captain. Simultaneously, Rajat Patidar, Shubham Sharma, and Kumar Kartikeya have taken the lead. "Every office bearer wanted MP to do well, and we have done it." he ended his statement by saying this.
Mumbai batted first and scored 374 runs, with Sarfaraz Khan scoring his fourth century of the season. Madhya Pradesh batters dropped anchor to tyre out Mumbai bowlers, scoring 536 runs in 177.2 overs. Mumbai scored 269 runs in the second innings, which MP easily chased down, leading them to thier victory.
Also Read: Ranji Trophy Final: Mumbai star Sarfaraz Khan in tears after completing century against MP
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