The Ranji final between Mumbai and Vidarbha went down to the wire, with Mumbai narrowly holding on for victory thanks to inspirational performances from their young stars. Tanush Kotian was named Man of the Series after a stellar season with bat and ball. But it was the efforts of Musheer Khan and Tushar Deshpande on the final day that helped seal the win.
With Vidarbha mounting a superb chase of over 400 runs, Mumbai knew they needed wickets. That’s when paceman Tushar Deshpande stepped up, knocking back the top order with two crucial strikes. His teammates lifted him on their shoulders, celebrating the turning point.
But Vidarbha’s experienced batting lineup kept fighting. That’s when another local hero, 19-year old rookie Musheer Khan came to the fore. Taking the new ball, he removed Vidarbha’s well-set number three and five in quick succession. With the asking rate rising, the pressure told.
As the cheers echoed around the stadium, Mumbai’s superstar all-rounder Tanush Kotian could not hold back the tears. Clutching the coveted Ranji Trophy, this was the perfect ending to his stellar season. The youngsters had delivered under extreme pressure, backing up Kotian’s inspirational leadership. Their never-say-die attitude exemplifies Mumbai’s legacy as India’s cricket powerhouse.
