Ranji Trophy: J&K Triumphs Over Mumbai by Five Wickets After a Decade
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Synopsis
On January 25, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) achieved a remarkable victory over Mumbai, the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions, by five wickets at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy. This win marks J&K's second victory in Mumbai, repeating their 2014-15 achievement. Shardul Thakur’s century wasn't enough to secure a win for Mumbai.
Key Takeaways
- J&K defeated Mumbai by five wickets.
- This is J&K's second victory against Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history.
- Shardul Thakur scored a century but couldn't lead Mumbai to victory.
- J&K successfully chased down a 205-run target on Day 3.
- The match was held at Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy.
Mumbai, Jan 25 (NationPress) On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) triumphed over the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai by a margin of five wickets at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC. This victory marked J&K's second win in Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, mirroring their achievement from the 2014-15 season when they defeated the formidable side with a four-wicket chase of 237 runs at Wankhede Stadium.
Despite a commendable century from Shardul Thakur in Mumbai’s second innings, J&K exhibited exceptional determination to pursue the 205-run target on Day 3, thereby claiming the top spot in Elite Group A.
Facing pressure, Mumbai's second innings commenced after conceding an 86-run lead in the first innings. Captain Rohit Sharma, making his Ranji Trophy return after more than nine years, showcased aggression with a couple of boundaries and three sixes in his 35-ball 28. However, he was dismissed by Yudhvir Singh, leading to another batting collapse for Mumbai.
Yashasvi Jaiswal managed a steady 26 runs, but the middle order, featuring Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Shivam Dube, failed to make an impact. Mumbai found themselves struggling at 101 for 7, with pacers Umar Nazir and Yudhvir Singh causing havoc.
It was then that Shardul Thakur rose to the occasion. Known for his fighting spirit, Thakur delivered a powerful innings, scoring an impressive 119 off 135 balls, featuring 18 fours. He was well-supported by Tanush Kotian, who scored a resilient 62 from 136 balls. Together, they added vital runs, bringing Mumbai’s total to 290 and setting J&K a challenging 205-run target.
J&K's successful chase was anchored by contributions from their top order. Opener Shubham Khajuria, a consistent performer for J&K, laid a solid foundation with a score of 45. Yawer Hassan (24) and Vivrant Sharma (34) supported him to stabilize the innings.
Ultimately, it was Abid Mushtaq and wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan who steered J&K to victory. Mushtaq played a brisk knock of 32, and Wadhawan ensured a smooth finish to the chase. J&K reached their target with five wickets remaining, marking a historic win.
Earlier in the match, Mumbai's batting faltered in their first innings, collapsing for just 120 runs. Thakur’s half-century was the only highlight as J&K’s pacers Umar Nazir and Yudhvir Singh each claimed four wickets.
In response, J&K scored 206, establishing an 86-run lead. Opener Shubham Khajuria led the charge with a composed half-century, while Abid Mushtaq provided a quick boost with 44 off just 37 balls. Mumbai’s Mohit Avasthi achieved a five-wicket haul but couldn’t prevent J&K from gaining a crucial first-innings advantage.
