Mumbai beats Rest of India by virtue of first innings lead to lift Irani Cup after 27 years

Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai had a first innings lead of 121 runs after it posted a total of 537 in the first innings before bundling out Rest of India for 416. In the second innings, the current Ranji Trophy champion extended its lead to 450.

Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan scored an unbeaten 222 in the first innings against Rest of India. | Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA/ The Hindu

Saransh Jain’s two quick wickets hinted at an exciting last day’s play. Tanush Kotian – the reliable allrounder – then found Mohit Avasthi for company as the duo’s record partnership ensured Mumbai laid its hands on the Irani Cup after a gap of 27 years.

Kotian and Avasthi added 158 runs for the ninth wicket – the highest ninth-wicket partnership in the Cup’s glorious history – before Mumbai declared the innings immediately after the latter raised his bat after a patient fifty. With early tea possible due to the declaration, the teams shook hands right away at the Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium and Mumbai rejoiced after captain Ajinkya Rahane accepted his second consecutive trophy.

Starting the day with a lead of 274, Mumbai had to bat out as long as possible to kill the game and not leave Rest of India (RoI) enough time to go for the chase. But Saransh the offie, scalped Sarfaraz Khan (missed the turn on the backfoot with Saransh bowling around the wicket) and Shardul Thakur (stumped after stepping out too soon) in the first six overs. At 171 for eight, and a lead of 292, Mumbai had to ensure it batted time.

Kotian and Avasthi managed both tasks with aplomb. From uncalled for injury breaks to unnecessary water breaks to multiple towelling breaks, obviously for slowing the game down, the duo batted patiently. Once Kotian had two reprieves soon after crossing his fifty, RoI appeared to have lost uncalled-for and waited for the inevitable.

The game trudged along at such a terrible pace that only 38 overs were bowled during the 240 minutes’ play on Day 5. While Avasthi blocked patiently for most of his knock, Kotian stepped out repeatedly and negated any turn and awkward bounce until Saransh and Manav Suthar – the two main spinners – were in action.

He opened up his shoulders once part-timers came in and completed his second First Class hundred soon after lunch, thanks to a quick single after a cut off B. Sai Sudharsan.

The scoreboard

Mumbai – 1st innings: 537

Rest of India – 1st innings: 416

Mumbai – 2nd innings Prithvi Shaw b Jain 76, Ayush Mhatre st Jurel b Jain 14, Hardik Tamore c Jurel b Suthar 7, Ajinkya Rahane lbw b Suthar 9, Shreyas Iyer b Jain 8, Shreyas Iyer b Jain 8, Sarfaraz Khan lbw b Jain 17, Shams Mulani b Jain 0, Tanush Kotian (not out) 114, Shardul Thakur st Jurel b Jain 2, Mohit Avasthi (not out) 51; Total (b-13, lb-5, nb-6, w-7) 31; Total (for eight wkts. decl. in 78 overs): 329.

Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-85, 3-106, 4-115, 5-125, 6-125, 7-167, 8-171.

Rest of India bowling: Mukesh 3-0-25-0, Prasidh 5-0-26-0, Jain 28-3-121-6, Suthar 28-1-78-2, Dayal 3-0-10-0, Ishan 1-0-6-0, Sudharsan 6-0-27-0, Padikkal 4-0-18-0.

Result: Match drawn, Mumbai win the Cup on the basis of the first innings lead.

Player of the match: Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai)