Irani Cup won by Mumbai: Mumbai easily defeated Rest of India in Lucknow, scoring 121 runs in the first innings to secure their 15th Irani Cup triumph. The match concluded in a tie because Mumbai’s lower-order stayed resilient despite the early wicket of Sarfaraz Khan. After 27 years, Mumbai won the Irani Cup for the first time.
Mumbai reached 537 in the first innings despite Mukesh Kumar taking five wickets, but Sarfaraz’s unbroken 222 and significant contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (97) and Kotian (64 & 114*) set them up for victory. At one point, Abhimanyu Easwaran’s 191 and Dhruv Jurel’s 93 gave the rest of India a chance to at least get closer. However, ROI lost their final six wickets for just 23 runs, giving Mumbai a commanding 121-run lead in the first innings.
Irani Cup won by Mumbai:
butterflies in Mumbai, if any. For the 42-time Ranji winners, Tanush Kotian’s undefeated century of 114 and his 158-run partnership with Mohit Avasthi sealed the victory.
Saransh Jain took his fifth wicket of the innings when Sarfaraz was declared leg before wicket (LBW) in the game that was well balanced going into the last day. However, the fielding side need the help of DRS to ensure the batter’s defeat. Shardul Thakur was stumped shortly after that, and Mumbai lost 171 for 8.
It was unfortunate for Saransh not to pick up Kotian, who was dropped at first slip, a difficult opportunity for the fielder. Kotian took full advantage of the drop, hitting three consecutive fours from Saransh in his following two overs. At the other end, Avasthi also contributed with a boundary against Suthar’s left-arm spin.
Following the drinks break, Kotian brought up his fifty with a single down the floor. When Mukesh Kumar couldn’t hang on to one at cover, he once again made it out alive. After that, he raised the 250 for Mumbai by hitting two straight fours against Saransh. He smashed three fast boundaries after the lunch break, maintaining his positive attitude and bringing up the century partnership. He mentioned his century shortly after, clipping the ball in the direction of cover-point.
Ishan Kishan also dropped Avasthi on 32. He then hit Suthar with a six and a four, bringing up his fifty as well. After that over, both teams clasped hands and Mumbai started to celebrate.
Brief Scores:
Rest of India 416 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 191, Dhruv Jurel 93, Tanush Kotian 3-101) defeated Mumbai 537 (Sarfaraz Khan 222*, Ajinkya Rahane 97; Mukesh Kumar 5-110) & 329/8 (Tanush Kotian 114*, Prithvi Shaw 76; Saransh Jain 6-121) by a first-inning margin of 121 runs.
