Tanush Kotian’s gritty unbeaten hundred laced Mumbai’s 15th Irani Cup victory which was sealed by virtue of their first innings lead over Rest Of India on the fifth and final day here on Saturday. (More Cricket News)
Mumbai’s last Irani Cup victory came 27 years ago duriꦡng the 1997-98 season and since then the domestic powerhouse appeared in eight more finals without success and the last of which was in the 2015-16 season.
Mumbai, who started the final day from overnight 153 for six, declared ༒their second innings at 329 f💃or eight for an overall lead of 450 runs.
Kotian, who scoreꦉd 64 in the first innings and resumed his innings on 20, remained not out on 114 off 150 balls, hitting💯 10 fours and a six.
Knowing the futility of chasing 451 in little over a session, the Rest of India skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad shook hands with his opposite number Ajinkya Rahane, signalling the draw and victory for Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, at the same time.
Kotian, who showed remarkable maturity to steer Mumbai innings after the early departure of Sarfaraz Khan (17) and Shardul Thakur (2), receive🦋d good support from No. 10 Mohit Avasthi.
Mumbai were 171 for seven at that stage.
Avasthi remained unbea𓄧ten on 51 off 93 balls, striking four fours and a six, and helped Kotian to add valuable 158 r🐽uns for the ninth wicket.
Off-spinner Saransh Jain 🐟took six wickets (6/121) but his efforts could only delay🐭 the inevitable.
Mumbai skipper Rahane was understandably delighted. “Winning the trophy after 27 years feel amazing. It was a red-soil wicket. I will like to pick Tanush Kotian for his performances in🔯 the previous season and this mat🤡ch.
“The Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup belo🐼ng to everyone – from the maidan cri🐈cketers to everyone playing cricket in Mumbai.”
Sarfaraz was adjudgeꦓd player of the match for his double hundred in Mumbaiജ’s first innings.
“I follow the process well and came into the tournament with practice. You build up experience by playing in different gro😼u🎉nds. You get a knowledge on how to play on different pitches.
“I have a lot to learn by being around the Test team and can improve every facﷺet of my game,” said Sarfaraz.
Mumbai Cricket Assoc🍬iation 🍌president Ajinkya Nayak lauded the team for the win.
“Congratulations to the Mumbai Team for clinching the Irani Cup!🐓 Once again𝔍, Mumbai demonstrated an outstanding example of grit and determination,” said Nayak.
Brief scores: Mumbai: 537 all out and 329/8 declared in 78 overs (Tanush Kotian 114 not out, Mohit Avasthi 51 not out, Prithvi Shaw 76; Saransh Jain 6/21🐼) drew Rest of India: 416 all out.
