Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur

Nagpur, Feb 21: Last season’s runner-up Vidarbha sealed their spot in the Ranji Trophy final for the second consecutive time, defeating defending champions Mumbai by 80 runs in a thrilling contest.

Chasing a daunting 406 on the final day, Mumbai’s hopes faded quickly as they lost key batters early. Shivam Dube departed with just one run added to the overnight total, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and first-innings centurion Akash Anand, both falling to Harsh Dubey, who bagged a five-wicket haul. At 124/6, Mumbai’s record chase looked improbable.

However, a spirited fightback from Shams Mulani (46) and Shardul Thakur (66) kept their hopes alive with a 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket. But a brilliant direct hit from Dinesh Malewar sent Mulani back, and Yash Thakur’s delivery that kept low ended Shardul’s resistance.

Mumbai’s lower order put up a valiant effort, with the last-wicket pair of Mohit Avasthi and Royston Dias adding 52 runs. Their resistance dragged the game past the Tea interval, but in the first over after the break, Avasthi missed a reverse sweep and was trapped LBW by Dubey, sealing Vidarbha’s place in the final.

Vidarbha will now face first-time finalists Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final starting February 26.

Brief Scores:

Vidarbha 383 (Danish Malewar 79, Dhruv Shorey 74; Shivam Dube 5-49) & 292 (Yash Rathod 151, Akshay Wadkar 52; Shams Mulani 6-86) beat Mumbai 270 (Akash Anand 106, Shardul Thakur 37) & 325 all out (Shardul Thakur 66; Harsh Dubey 5/127) by 80 runs.