Mumbai hammer Tamil Nadu to enter Ranji Trophy final for record 48th time

Shardul Thakur's all-round excellence was the focal point of Mumbai's big innings and 70-run victory over sloppy Tamil Nadu in three days, propelling them to their 48th Ranji Trophy final on Monday. Following his magnificent 109 on the second day, which gave 41-time winners Mumbai a commanding 232-run lead, Thakur ripped through the TN top-order with two wickets, reducing the visitors to 162 in their second innings in the semifinal. Baba Indrajith (70) fought alone for Tamil Nadu, whose other top-order batters walked away with no substantial contributions, while the middle-order also disintegrated under duress. However, Indrajith and Pradosh Ranjan Paul provided some fight, scoring 73 runs for the fourth wicket.

Tamil Nadu, having chosen to bat first, found themselves in a precarious position early on. The decision by Tamil Nadu's skipper, B Sai Kishore, did not pan out as expected, with the team being bundled out for a meager 146 in their first innings. This was a significant setback, considering the high stakes of the match.

Mumbai's response was nothing short of spectacular. Despite facing an initial hiccup, where they were reduced to 106 for seven, Shardul Thakur's sensational century turned the tide in Mumbai's favor.



Thakur's knock of 109 runs, embellished with 13 fours and four sixes, was a masterclass in counterattacking batting. His efforts were well-supported by Tanush Kotian, who remained unbeaten at 74, and together, they propelled Mumbai to a commanding score of 353 for 9 at the close of Day 2, establishing a substantial lead of 207 runs over Tamil Nadu.

R Sai Kishore, despite his team's overall struggles, emerged as a standout performer for Tamil Nadu, claiming 6 wickets for 97 runs. However, his heroics with the ball were overshadowed by Mumbai's dominant batting display. The partnership between Thakur and Kotian was particularly crucial, highlighting Mumbai's depth in batting and their ability to recover from challenging situations. This resilience and fighting spirit have been hallmarks of Mumbai's cricket, contributing to their record appearances and victories in the Ranji Trophy finals.

As Mumbai prepares to contest the final, their journey to this point underscores the rich cricketing legacy and the continuous emergence of talent within their ranks. Their triumph over Tamil Nadu not only cements their status as a powerhouse in domestic cricket but also sets the stage for what promises to be an enthralling final of the Ranji Trophy 2024.